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Rufus M. White
(above handwritten on journal)

DIOCESE OF GEORGIA.

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TWENTY-NINTH

ANNUAL CONVENTION.

MDCCCLI.

JOURNAL OF THE PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

TWENTY-NINTH ANNUAL CONVENTION

OF THE

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH,

In the Diocese of Georgia,

HELD IN TRINITY CHURCH, COLUMBUS.

COMMENCING ON THE 8TH MAY, 1851.

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Columbus, Ga.

PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE COLUMBUS TIMES.
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1851.

LIST OF THE CLERGY OF THE DIOCESE OF GEORGIA.

Rt. Rev. STEPHEN ELLIOTT, Jr. D.D., Bishop of the Diocese, Residence, Montpelier– Post Office, Macon.
Rev. THEODORE B. BARTOW, * Chaplain U.S. Navy.
“ SENECA G. BRAGG, Assistant Rector of St. Luke’s Church, Montpelier—Post Office, Macon.
“ EDMUND P. BROWN, * Rector of Christ Church, St. Simon’s Island.
“ GEORGE H. CLARKE. *
“ JOHN FIELDING, * Beaufort, S.C.
“ EDWARD E. FORD, D.D., Rector of St. Paul’s Church, Augusta.
“ WESLEY P. GAHAGAN, * Missionary at Griffin.
“ JAMES H. GEORGE, Minister of St. Paul’s Church, Albany.
“ JAMES D. GIBSON, Rector of St. Peter’s Church, Rome.
“ B. E. HABERSHAM, Rector of the Church of the Advent, Madison, and Missionary.
“ W. H. HARRISON, * Rector of the Church of the Atonement, Augusta.
“ JOHN J. HUNT, * residing at Marietta.
“ RICHARD JOHNSON, Rector of Zion Church, Talbotton.
“ GEORGE MACAULEY, * Rector of St. Stephen’s Church, Milledgeville.
“ BENJAMIN F. MOWER, Rector of Grace Church, Clarkesville.
“ WILLIAM J. PERDUE, * Rector of the Church of the Ascension, Cass county— Post Office, Cartersville.
“ THOMAS F. SCOTT, Rector of Trinity Church, Columbus.
“ JOSEPH A. SHANKLIN, Rector of Christ Church, Macon.
“ THOMPSON L. SMITH, Rector of Emanuel Church, Athens.
“ GEORGE WHITE, * residing at Marietta.
“ RUFUS M. WHITE, Rector of St. John’s Church, Savannah.
“ WILLIAM C. WILLIAMS, Missionary to Negroes on Ogechee River—Post Office, Savannah.
“ JAMES A. WOODWARD, *
“ WILLIAM J. ZIMMER, * Rector of St. Philip’s Church, Atlanta.
“ J. STUART HANCKEL, of the Diocese of South Carolina, Rector elect of St. James’ Church, Marietta.
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* Not present at Convention.

LIST OF LAY DELEGATES

TO THE TWENTY-NINTH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE DIOCESE OF GEORGIA.

From Christ Church, Savannah:
*RICHARD R. CUYLER,
*JAMES POTTER,
WILLIAM P. YONGE.
From St. Paul’s Church, Augusta:
JAMES P. GAIRDNER.
From Christ Church, Macon:
*N.C. MUNROE,
W.S. WILLIFORD,
L.N. WHITTLE.
From Trinity Church, Columbus:
THOMAS M. NELSON,
DANIEL GRIFFIN,
EDWARD T. TAYLOR.
From Grace Church, Clarkesville:
*JACOB WALDEBURG,
*R.W. HABERSHAM,
*GEORGE S. KOLLOCK.
From St. John’s Church, Savannah:
W.W. LINCOLN,
*ISAAC LaROACHE,
*GEORGE S. HARDING.
From St. James’ Church, Marietta:
WILLIAM H. HUNT,
*SAMUEL LAWRENCE,
*MARTIN G. SLAUGHTER.
From Emanuel Church, Athens:
*RICHARD D. MOORE,
*E.K. CLARKE,
JAMES CAMAK.
From St. Peter’s Church, Rome:
*WILLIAM H. UNDERWOOD,
*THOMAS M. BERRIEN,
*D.S. PRINTUP.
From the Church of the Atonement, Augusta:
*R.H. GARDINER,
D. HODGE,
*S.J. SWEETLAND.
From St. Paul’s Church, Albany:
P.M. NIGHTINGALE,
W.S. LAWTON,
EDWARD B. FISHBURN.
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*Not present at Convention.

JOURNAL.

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TRINITY CHURCH, COLUMBUS,
8th May, 1851.
This being the time and place appointed for holding the twenty-ninth Annual Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the Diocese of Georgia;
The Order for Morning Prayer was read, as far as to the Creed, by the Rev. Thomas F. Scott, and the remainder by the Bishop; the Convention Sermon was preached by the Rev. William C. Williams, from Isaiah 54: 11-13.
After Sermon the Convention was called to order by the Bishop, and the list of the Clergy being called, the following answered to their names:
Rt. Rev. Stephen Elliott, D.D., Rev. Seneca G. Bragg,
“ Edward E. Ford, D.D., “ James H. George,
“ James D. Gibson, “ B.E. Habersham,
“ Richard Johnson, “ Benjamin F. Mower,
“ Thomas F. Scott, “ Joseph A. Shanklin,
“ Thompson L. Smith, “ Rufus M. White,
“ William C. Williams.
Certificates of the election of Lay Delegates were presented, read and referred to Rev. Dr. Ford, and Messrs. Thomas M. Nelson, and L.N. Whittle, as a Committee on elections.
After examination, the Committee reported that the following persons have been duly elected:
Christ Church, Savannah—Richard R. Cuyler, James Potter, Wm. P. Yonge.
St. Paul’s Church, Augusta—James P. Gairdner,

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Journal, 1851.

Christ Church, Macon—N.C. Munroe, W.S. Williford, L.N. Whittle.
Trinity Church, Columbus—Thomas M. Nelson, Daniel Griffin, Edward T. Taylor.
Grace Church, Clarkesville—Jacob Waldeburg, R.W. Habersham, George S. Kollock.
St. John’s Church, Savannah—W.W. Lincoln, Isaac LaRoache, George S. Harding.
St. James’ Church, Marietta—William H. Hunt, Samuel Lawrence, Martin G. Slaughter.
Emanuel Church, Athens—Richard D. Moore, E.K. Clarke, James Camak.
St. Peter’s Church, Rome—William H. Underwood, Thomas M. Berrien, D.S. Printup.
And the delegates being called, the following answered to their names and took their seats as members of Convention:
Messrs. William P. Yonge, James P. Gairdner, L.N. Whittle, Thomas M. Nelson, Daniel Griffin, Edward T. Taylor, W.W. Lincoln, William H. Hunt and James Camak.
There being a quorum of both orders present, the Convention was declared to be duly organized.
Rev. Thomas F. Scott was re-elected Secretary, and by consent of Convention, appointed the Rev. J.A. Shanklin his Assistant.
The Rules of Order of the last Convention were adopted for the government of this body.
The following Standing Committees were announced by the Bishop:
On The State Of The Church—Rev. S.G. Bragg, Rev. Dr. Ford and Rev. J.A. Shanklin.
On Unfinished Business—Rev. R. Johnson, and Messrs. Camak and Hunt.
On The Admission of New Parishes—Rev. Dr. Ford, and Messrs. Taylor and Yonge.
Application to be admitted into union with this Convention was made by the Church of the Atonement, Augusta, the Church of the Advent, Madison, and St. Paul’s Church, Albany. The documents pertaining to their organization were referred to the Committee on the admission of New Parishes.
After consultation, the Committee made the following report:
The Committee to which were referred the applications of “the Church of the Atonement, Augusta,” of “Advent Church, Madison,” and of “St. Paul’s Church, Albany,” beg leave to report, that in the cases of the two former, the requirements of the Canon have been fully and strictly fulfilled, and that the slight formal deficiency in

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Bishop’s Address

the papers of the other, that of St. Paul’s Church, Albany, has been fully and satisfactorily explained. They therefore respectfully recommend that the three congregations above named be recognised and received into union with the Diocese.
EDWARD E. FORD, Chm’n.
This report was accepted, and the congregations admitted accordingly.
Certificates of the election of Lay Delegates to this Convention were presented from the Church of the Atonement, Augusta, and St. Paul’s, Albany, which were referred to the Committee on elections, who subsequently reported that the following persons had been duly elected.
The Church of the Atonement, Augusta—R.H. Gardiner, D. Hodge, S.J. Sweetland,
St. Paul’s Church, Albany—P.M. Nightingale, W.S. Lawton, E.B. Fishburn.
Messrs. Hodge, Nightingale and Fishburn answered to their names and took their seats in Convention.
After Prayers by the Bishop, Convention adjourned until the hour of public worship to-morrow morning.
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At night, Evening Prayer was read by Rev. W.C. Williams, and a sermon preached by Rev. Dr. Ford.

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Friday Morning, May 9, 1851.
Morning Prayer was read by Rev. Dr. Ford, and a sermon preached by Rev. R. Johnson.
After sermon, Convention was called to order. Present as on yesterday, together with W.S. Williford from Christ Church, Macon, and W.S. Lawton from St. Paul’s Church, Albany.
The Minutes of yesterday’s proceedings were read and confirmed.
The Bishop then read his Annual Address:

BISHOP’S ADDRESS.

Brethren of the Clergy and Laity: My last year’s address closed with a tribute of sincere affection to the memory of the late lamented Rector of this church, and my address for the present year, must open with a like tribute to the memory of another devoted servant of our Lord, who very soon followed him to the grave. Through the

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Bishop’s Address.

mercy of God, our Diocese had been exempt for ten years from any mortality among her clergy, but within this past ecclesiastical year we have been called to lament the almost simultaneous removal of two of our oldest and most efficient Presbyters. Together have they gone to their account and to their rest, having finished their course, having kept the faith,–“They were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided.”

The Rev. Dr. Neufville, whose death occurred on New Year’s day 1851, had been for twenty-three years a Presbyter of this Diocese, and had filled, during that long period in uninterrupted succession, its most important offices. His position, as Rector of Christ Church, Savannah, gave him, in itself, an immense influence in the Church of the Diocese, and this was increased by his devotedness to her interests, by his admirable habits of business, by his wise moderation in council, by his sober yet earnest piety. As I have already dwelt at large, in an address delivered at his funeral and committed to the press through the affection of the Wardens and Vestry of Christ Church, upon the ministerial and personal character of Dr. Neufville, it is unnecessary for me at this time, to say more, than that, as your Delegate to the General Convention and as Chairman of your Standing Committee, he served the Church long and faithfully, and that his name must be forever linked with her history and progress in the Diocese of Georgia. You will doubtless, through appropriate resolutions, manifest your sense as a Convention, of his long service in the Church and of your own heavy loss.

The death of these, our two fellow laborers in the ministry, both in the prime of life and in the midst of their usefulness, furnishes me with a suitable opportunity of impressing upon you, my brethren of the Clergy, the deep importance of your ever keeping in your eye the main end and purpose of your sacred ministry. We are too apt, all of us, to be drawn aside from the direct and immediate exercise of our spiritual functions, and to become entangled in cares, or businesses, or controversies, which make us forget, for a time, that our office is “to teach and to premonish, to feed and provide for the Lord’s family, to seek for Christ’s sheep that are dispersed abroad, and for his children who are in the midst of this naughty world, that they may be saved through Christ for ever.” God has laid upon us the cure of souls, and we should be jealous with a great jealousy, of anything which turns us aside from this divine work. There are a thousand shapes which this temptation takes, shapes suitable to the tastes, the position, the spiritual views of everyone of us. It is not only secular things which

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Bishop’s Address

draw us away from this our most important service—it is not only temporal cares which disturb and over come us—but everything connected with our office and duty in the church may be turned that way through the subtlety of the Tempter. His purpose is to keep the ministers of righteousness from pressing upon sinners their lost condition, from building up the children of God unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, and whether he achieves his purpose through secular or ecclesiastical means, he cares but little. If he can so mix up a minister of the Gospel with the outward concerns of the church, if he can so entangle him in controversies, even about the truth, if he can so absorb him in ecclesiastical arrangements of whatever kind, as to draw away his thoughts, his studies, his prayers from the salvation of souls, his end is gained, gained only the more perfectly because of the beguiled minister is comforting himself the while, that he is laboring in his vocation for great truths and mighty interests. Ah! my Brethren of the Clergy, how trifling will all this appear when we come to view it upon a dying bed and in prospect of our final account! How every thing which was not concerned about the unsearchable riches of Christ, will shrink away before the disenchanting touch of that awful moment. Let me beseech you to keep this ever before you, and while engaged in building up the kingdom of our Redeemer, always to remember that even while building upon the true foundation, Jesus Christ, you may build wood, hay, stubble as well as gold, silver and precious stones, and that the fire shall try, every man’s work of what sort it is.
During our last Convention at Talbotton, on Sunday morning, May 12, I admitted the Rev. George McAuley to the holy order of Priests; in the afternoon, confirmed one person, and at night, confirmed another.
I commenced my usual visitation of St. Paul’s, Augusta, on Saturday May 25, preaching at night. On Sunday morning, May 26, I admitted Mr. B. Elliott Habersham, to the holy order of Deacons and in the evening confirmed seven persons. The Parish of St. Paul’s continues to grow steadily and permanently.
My visit to Augusta on this occasion was rendered doubly interesting by the opportunity which was afforded me, through the liberality of two of the members of St. Paul’s, of laying the corner stone of a new church under the title of the Church of the Atonement. A very large assemblage of people gathered to witness this interesting ceremony, in which I was assisted by the Rev. Messrs. Ford and Habersham, of the Diocese of Georgia, and the Rev. Mr. Cornish, of South Carolina.

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Bishop’s Address.

It was the earnest hope and reasonable expectation of the liberal projectors of this good work, that it should have been ready for consecration before the meeting of this Convention, and I had made all my arrangements to meet that desire, but untoward delays have rendered it impossible.—Under these circumstances it has been deemed best to delay the consecration until the next Autumn.
As the Parish has been organized, a Rector obtained and the usual means of grace put into operation, it may not be inappropriate to mention, at this time, that the Church of the Atonement is the freewill offering of Mr. and Mrs. R. Hallowell Gardiner and Miss Mary G. Jones, of Augusta, Georgia, and is intended as a Free Church in perpetuity. It is located in the extreme North-west part of Augusta, among the new population that is gathering in that quarter for manufacturing purposes, and it is hoped that it may introduce the church to many families now unacquainted with its claims and privileges. In my next Annual Address, after consecration, should God spare my life to be an actor in that holy work, I hope to furnish a more detailed account of this munificent offering, praying meanwhile, that God may bless the means of grace thus opened through his church, and may return into the bosom of these his children a hundred fold, the influence of his Holy Spirit.
I began my visitation at Marietta on June 28, held services from day to day, until Sunday the 30th June, when I admitted Mr. J. H. George, late a minister of the Presbyterian Church, to the holy order of Deacons. At night I confirmed two persons in St. James’ Church. I found the church in Marietta in most excellent condition, increasing rapidly in numbers and in every good thing.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the 2d and 3d of July, I officiated at the Church of the Ascension, Etowah Valley, Cass county, and on the latter day confirmed two colored persons. Mr. Perdue has labored faithfully for 18 months at this point and has done all that could be done for the church—but the absorption of the land into a few hands has so much diminished the population immediately around the church, as to render it a work of greater toil than ever, to plant he church successfully at this point.
On Wednesday night, July 3d, I officiated in Cassville to a very good congregation. No official acts were performed at this place.
From Cassville I proceeded to Rome, Floyd county, and on Saturday, July 6th, I consecrated the church in that place under the title of St. Peter’s. This is a very neat building, beautifully located upon one of the hills which overlook the Town, and accommodates about three hundred persons. It is entirely finised and furnished with a neat

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Bishop’s Address.

fence enclosing the church, and has all been paid for through the liberality of this and the adjourning Diocese of South Carolina. I was assisted in this consecration by the Rev. Messrs. Scott of Marietta, Smith of Athens, Perdue of Cass county, and the minister of the church, Rev. Mr. Gibson.
On Sunday morning, July 7th, I admitted the Rev. Messrs. Perdue and Gibson to the holy order of Priests, and at night confirmed four persons. This Parish promises well under the ministry of Rev. Mr. Gibson.
On Wednesday and Thursday the 10th and 11th of July, I officiated in the private chapel of Dr. Theodosius Bartow, in Vann’s Valley, near the town of Cave Spring. Upon this visit I confirmed one person and administered the holy communion to Mrs. Lloyd an aged communicant of the church. As her last act of service, she presented the church with a valuable lot in the town of Cave Spring, very beautifully located and destined, I trust, at no late period, to bear upon it an edifice consecrated to the service of God, according to the rites of the Episcopal Church. These acts of private bounty should be recorded not only as testimonials, but as examples to the members of the Church of Christ.
On Sunday the 11th August, I officiated in Emanuel Church, Athens, upon which occasion I confirmed two persons. Mr. Smith is laboring faithfully at this point against many discouragements, not the least of which is the arising from emigration of church people out of the town.
Having received a summons from the presiding Bishop, in obedience to the requisition of five Bishops under the canon of 1847, to attend at Cincinnati upon the 1st day of October, a Council of Bishops to consider the case of the suspended Bishop of Pennsylvania, I took my seat in the Council of my brethren upon the appointed day. During the session of the Council the case of the suspended Bishop of New York was also brought under the consideration of the Bishops. The Council adjourned from day to day, sitting with closed doors and keeping a secret journal. Nothing was done by the Council to change, in any measure, the position of these Bishops.
On Wednesday the 2d October, the General Convention commenced its session in Christ Church, Cincinnati, and adjourned on Wednesday the 16th, after a laborious session of a fortnight. It gives me great pleasure to state that, although several very agitating questions were before the Convention for its consideration and action, I have never been present at any Convention where more courtesy and Christian feeling seemed to accompany every act and proceeding. Nothing indicates more clearly the deep wisdom of our ritual obser-

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Bishop’s Address.

vances than the harmonizing influence which they exercise over the minds and feelings of the Clergy and Laity at these periodical assemblages. Whatever agitating questions—whatever differences of opinion or feeling—whatever diverse views of order, or doctrine, or discipline may seem to divide, at immeasurable distance, the Bishops, the Clergy, the Laity, before they assemble together, the one Liturgy of the Church calms and sooths and dissipates. Every morning we hear from the lips of Clergymen of every shade of view and feeling, the same forms of prayer and praise which have hung upon our lips and delighted our hearts from childhood, and we cannot feel that those who are using perpetually the same creeds and prayers and songs of praise, can be separated by any very wide gulf of difference. And this settled form of prayer keeps our services free from all party bias, from all selfish intrusion and forces all differences of opinion and of view, upon the floor of the Convention, where they very soon die out under the social intercourse and Christian charity of the members. The more I witness of the operation of our ecclesiastical arrangements, the more struck am I with their divine moderation and consummate wisdom.
There was but one new Canon passed at this session of the Convention, although there were important modifications of five others. The new Canon was one enacted for the special benefit of the Diocese of New York, empowering a Diocese, whose Bishop is suspended without a precise limitation of time, to elect a Provisional Bishop, who shall exercise all the authority of the Bishop of the Diocese during the suspension of such Bishop, and in case of the remission of the sentence of the Bishop and the restoration to the exercise of his jurisdiction, shall perform the duties of assistant Bishop, prescribed by Canon VI of 1832, and shall succeed as Bishop on the death or resignation of the suspended Bishop. This Canon, in addition to those passed at the Convention of 1847 gives relief to the Diocese of New York from the anomalous position in which it has stood since 1844.
The amendment of Canons adopted by this Convention are all very important, but passing the others by, I would direct your attention to the amendment of Canon 25 of 1832, entitled of “Episcopal Visitations,” and introducing a clause empowering the Bishop, if he shall think fit, “to administer the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper at such visitation.” This clause arose out of what is known as the Maryland petition, and was introduced to meet a case or cases arising between the Bishop of that Diocese and certain of his Presbyters. I opposed the introduction of this clause into the Canon, and voted steadily against it in all its steps for many reasons, the principal of which I now proceed to state:

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Bishop’s Address.

I. Because I do not conceive that, in any question arising in relation to the construction of a Rubric of the Prayer Book, the General Convention has any authority whatever to place its interpretation upon the Rubric and make it authoritative in the Church. It tends inevitably to the confounding of legislative and judicial functions, and would very soon change the General Convention into a Court of Appeals upon every question of interpretation arising within the Dioceses.
II. Because a mode is prescribed in Art. VIII of the Constitution, by which any alteration may be made in the Book of Common Prayer or other offices of the Church, so that the moment any practical evil arises of sufficient importance to call for the remedy, it may be applied by forms of law prescribed
in the Constitution of the Church.
III. Because the clause, while it affirms the right of the Bishop to administer the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, would seem to be pregnant of a denial on his part to administer the sacrament of Baptism, whereas the right, if inherent in the Episcopal authority, appertains to both sacraments alike, and if not inherent, cannot be conferred upon him except in the mode prescribed by Art. VIII of the Constitution.
IV. Because the Canon which was amended, was important merely as prescribing the time, the frequency, the arrangements of Episcopal visitations, and not the duties, they belonging to the office of a Bishop by the institution of Christ, and neither to be given nor taken away by any legislative authority in the Church.
V. Because it would be better, as a matter of expediency, to leave the question of the administration of the sacraments at Episcopal visitations to the usage which has prevailed since the establishment of the Protestant Episcopal Church of these United States.
For these reasons, several of them as you perceive, going to the very foundation of our Ecclesiastical organization. I declared in the House of Bishops that while I should respect the introduction of this clause into the Canon as an expression of the sense of the Legislation of the Church upon the topic discussed, I should, nevertheless, consider it as a mere nullity in law and should hold the relation between myself and my Presbyters unchanged by its introduction, and I here declare to you, my Presbyters in the Church, that I deem the question involved in this clause to be as much as ever an open one, to be decided, as heretofore, by Christian love and courtesy, and not by Canon.
In consequence of the very heavy debt and claims left upon the Montpelier Institute and the unavoidable accumulations upon that

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Bishop’s Address.

debt and those claims, the affairs of the Institute were brought to a close during the autumn of the last year, and the whole property was sold at sheriff’s sale, and purchased by Mr. Jos. Story Fay of Savannah, for $13,000. Upon the occurrence of this sale, I summoned the Board of Trustees of the Institute and laid before them a statement at large of the conduct of the Institute from the beginning of its indebtedness at various periods, of the amount necessary for its redemption, of its capacity for self support, and left it with them to decide the questions of its repurchase and future management. They determined immediately and with great unanimity that it should be repurchased and carried on, and immediately proceeded to make their resolutions effective. Through the liberality of the Churches in Savannah, Columbus and Macon, the amount of money required for its repurchase was immediately made up, Mr. Fay having consented to take for the property, the amount paid at sheriff’s sale and liberally throwing an as a donation from himself towards its repurchase, the interest which had subsequently accrued, amounting to some four to five hundred dollars. This valuable property is now secured to the Church and will continue to dispense its blessings to the Diocese. I trust that the members of the Church will feel that it is their duty to give it the countenance and support which such an Institution always requires, and I can assure them that nothing shall be left undone, on my part, to make it a school fit for the education of the children of refined and Christian parents.
During the winter my services were rendered every alternate Sunday, so long as my health would permit, to the bereaved congregation of Christ Church, Savannah. I officiated in that Church on Christmas day, on the Sunday after Christmas, on the first and third Sundays of January, on the first and third Sundays of February, and on Sunday the 13th April, on which occasion, with the consent of the Bishop of South Carolina, I admitted to the holy order of Priests, the Rev. James H. Elliott of that Diocese, the Rev. Messrs. Carter and White being present and assisting in the laying on of hands. The same afternoon I confirmed in St. John’s Church eight persons, three of whom were candidates from Christ Church and one from St. David’s, Glynn county.
On Sunday March 30, a fortnight previous to this ordination, I visited the Mission of the Church to the Negroes upon the Ogechee River, under the charge of the Rev. Mr. Williams. This Mission has grown up, under the persevering efforts of the Missionary, into a most interesting field of labor; nearly every planter upon the Northeast side of the great Ogechee having placed his negroes under the

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Bishop’s Address.

charge of the Missionary. If I am not very much deceived in my expectations, the time will soon come when these people will flock as doves to our windows, and the Missionary will reap a full harvest in answer to his prayers and labors. Eight candidates were offered for confirmation, and many more might have been presented, had not the Missionary felt it to be his duty to lead them to a stricter self examination and a higher knowledge, before they should be permitted to partake of the privileges of the Church.
A portion of Passion Week, concluding with Easter Day was developed to the Mission in Baker county. The Rev. James H. George, Deacon, took charge of this Mission in January last, and has been dividing his time between Albany and three stations comprising the neighboring plantations. I officiated at Albany, assisted by the Missionary, on Easter Eve and Easter Day. At Evening prayer for Easter Day I confirmed one adult. On Monday morning I baptized a white infant at the residence of Dr. Nelson, and at noon of the same day, reorganized the Parish of St. Paul’s, Albany, which had been suffered to become extinct. A very excellent spirit seemed to pervade the Episcopalians of Albany and that neighborhood, and I trust that a Church edifice will soon rise to testify their zeal for Christ and his Church.
In the afternoon of Monday, Mr. Nightingale took me to his plantation, where service was arranged for the ensuing morning. A large congregation, more than sufficient to fill the edifice, was collected together, and masters and servants were united in the solemn ceremonies of the Church. Upon this occasion I baptized a colored adult and confirmed four persons, two whites and two colored. The communion was administered to a large body of Episcopal Communicants.
In the afternoon I rode to the plantation of the Hon. Garnett Andrews, where I baptized one white adult and confirmed three whites. The services were deeply interesting, being the ingathering to the Church, of a household in the wilderness.
That same evening I proceeded to the plantation of Maj. Thomas M. Nelson, (of Columbus,) where I found all the servants gathered and the colored children awaiting baptism. I baptized eighteen children, Maj. and Mrs. Nelson standing with the parents, as sponsors. One colored adult was also baptized upon this occasion.
Could my movements have been so arranged as to continue my visitations among the plantations, I have but little doubt that much more might have been accomplished, but I was obliged to take my departure on Wednesday, feeling that there was a vast work left behind for the Missionary to perform. May God give him wisdom and strength for the duty.

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Bishop’s Address.

Several important points in the Diocese have not been visited during the past year, in consequence of the condition in which they were placed either by sickness or removal of their Pastors or the dismantled state of the Churches incident to the erection of larger edifices.
The changes in the Diocese have been more than usually great since our last Convention, owing to the death of the Rector of Trinity Church, Columbus, and Christ Church, Savannah. The Rev. Thomas F. Scott has resigned the charge of St. James’, Marietta, and accepted a call to Trinity Church, Columbus—the Rev. Wm. Johnson has resigned the charge of St. Stephen’s, Milledgeville, and removed to Alabama—the Rev. George McAuley has resigned his charge of the plantations near Savannah, and has taken charge of St. Stephen’s, Milledgeville—the Rev. Mr. Harlow has resigned the Church of the Messiah, St. Mary’s and removed to Florida.
During the ecclesiastical year three Clergymen have been added to the Church by ordination, the Rev. Messrs. Gahagan, George and Habersham. Mr. Gahagan was ordained at my request by the Rt. Rev. the Bishop of Virginia, and has taken charge of Griffin as a Missionary Station. Mr. Habersham has been placed as a Missionary at Madison, Morgan county, and Mr. George is laboring in Baker county. Mr. W.H. Harrison has been transferred from the Diocese of North Carolina, and has been called to the Church of the Atonement, Augusta. Mr. J. Stuart Hanckel, of South Carolina, has accepted a call to St. James’ Church, Marietta, and is by this time at his post. The vestry of Christ Church, Savannah, has tendered that Parish to the Rev. Abraham Beach Carter, of Morrisania, New York, the son of their former Rector, which call Mr. Carter still holds under consideration.
Our candidates for orders have been diminished by the withdrawal of his name on the part of Mr. Alexander C. Smets, on account of ill health, likely to unfit him for the due exercise of the ministry. I have received information of the removal into the Diocese of Mr. Nevius, a candidate for orders in the Diocese of Michigan, but I have not yet received his letters from Bishop McCoskry.
It has become my painful duty in the course of the year to displace from the Ministry under Canon XXXVIII, of 1832, the Rev. Gardner Jones, late a Deacon of this Diocese. Soon after his ordination, Mr. Jones left my Diocese and never returned to it afterwards This is one of the sad cases, so numerous now-a-days of defection to the Church of Rome. I am called upon also to communicate to you the displacement from the Ministry of the Rev. Messrs. Forbes, Preston and White, of the Diocese of New York, of the Rev. Mr.

17
Bishop’s Address.

Ives, of Connecticut, of the Rev. Mr. Bakewell, of W. New York, of the Rev. Dr. Huntington, of South Carolina, all for the same cause. I have also received notice from the Missionary Bishop of the Northwest, of the degradation of the Rev. Zachariah A. Goldsmith, from the Bishop of Delaware, of the displacement of the Rev. William L. Suddards; from the Bishop of Pennsylvania, of the displacement of the Rev. J.J. Kerr, from the Bishop of Indiana, of the degradation of the Rev. G. Lamb Roberts, from the Bishop of Ohio, of the deposition of the Rev. Alfred M. Loutrel.
I have received during the past month a letter from the Lord Bishop of Oxford, accompanying a Protest of himself as Bishop, and of a large majority of the Priests and Deacons of the Diocese of Oxford, to which have been since added the names of a large number of laymen of the same Diocese, against the late usurpation of the Bishop of Rome, whereby he has assumed the right and power of dividing the Territories of the Ancient British Church and Nation into new Provinces and Sees, and asking on behalf of the Clergy and subscribing Laity of the Diocese of Oxford, my approval and concurrence in that Protest.
As one of the Bishops of the Holy Catholic Church, I do give my most hearty approval of and concurrence in this Protest, and trust my beloved Brethren of the Clergy and Laity, now assembled in Convention, that you will do the same. I have not yet replied to the letter of the Bishop of Oxford, hoping that you would unite with me in signing some document which should express, in solemn form, the unanimous agreement of the Bishop, Clergy and Laity of this Church with the action of the Diocese of Oxford. We should withhold nothing, at this moment, which can in any measure comfort the hearts and strengthen the hands of our Brethren of the Church of England while engaged in deadly struggle with the common enemy of the Catholic Church of Christ. If you agree with me in these views, I would recommend that a committee be raised for the purpose of preparing a response to the Protest of the Diocese of Oxford. The letter of the Bishop of Oxford together with the Protest are hereto annexed marked A.
I have also received from his Grace the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury a communication transmitting to the Diocese of Georgia, a Report adopted at the annual meeting of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, held on Friday Feb. 1, 1851, in which Report all Bishops in communion with the Church of England are directed to be informed of the arrangements which have been made for the celebration of the Third Jubilee of the Venerable Society, and to be invited to unite

18
Bishop’s Address.

with the Society in celebrating the same in their several Dioceses in such way as they shall deem expedient. This Report together with the letter of the Arch-Bishop, are hereto annexed marked B.
When it is remembered, my beloved Brethren of the Clergy and Laity, that the American Colonies, now these United States, were the chief scene of the Society’s labors up to the acknowledgement of our Independence in 1783, it seems but fitting that we should heartily unite with the English and Colonial Churches in this interesting celebration. The Episcopal Church of the United States owes the Venerable Society a debt of gratitude which it can never repay, and now when it asks in return for its kind protection during the days of our struggling infancy, only that we should become partakers of its joy; we cannot be so heartless as to turn a cold and indifferent ear to their appeal. In the present and thickening struggle with Rome, it is highly important that the pure branches of the Catholic Church should draw more and more closely the bonds of Christian fellowship, and should strive to realize the communion of saints in a simultaneous offering of thanksgiving and praise to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost.
As it has been proposed by the Venerable Society that the time of celebration should extend through an entire year, commencing June 16th, 1851, and as the Sundays of June 22d and November 30th, have been specially named as the Sundays for preaching Jubilee sermons throughout all England and her Colonies, I would respectfully recommend to this Convention that a sermon be preached in every Church of this Diocese, upon those two Sundays respectively, and that collections be taken up upon those days: the collection on Sunday June 22d, to be devoted to Missions within the Diocese; and that on November 30th, to be devoted to Church building within the Diocese. I would also recommend that the sermons on those occasions be made to have reference to the subject matter of the Jubilee, and the encouragement which the eminent success of the Venerable Society should give to every Christian heart in its efforts to advance the Kingdom of the blessed Redeemer. Should this Convention agree with me in these opinions and recommendations, it would give me pleasure to issue a Pastoral to the Diocese, urging upon the Churches the due celebration of these days, and invoking their benevolence in behalf of the objects brought to their notice.
And now, my beloved Brethren, commending you to the grace of God, I pray you to be of one mind and of one spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism,

19
Letter from the Bishop of Oxford.

one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
STEPHEN ELLIOTT, Jr.
Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia.
__________

A.

Oxford, 23d Jan. 1851.
Right Reverend Brother: I herewith transmit to you a copy of a Protest solemnly adopted by us, the Bishop and Clergy of this Diocese, synodically gathered in our Cathedral city of Oxford, on the 22d day of November, 1850, against the late usurpation of the Bishop of Rome, whereby he assumes the right and power of dividing the Territories of this Ancient Church and Nation, into new Provinces and Sees, and thrusts new Bishops into them.
Our Protest has been deposited in Perpetuam Memoriam, in the archives of the Diocese, and at the request of the assembled Clergy, as well as by my own desire, I now forward a copy of it to you, and to all other of my most Reverend and Right Reverend Brethren, the Arch-Bishops and Bishops of Sees in recognized communion with this See; and that you may know how far this Protest expresses the opinions of the Clergy of this Diocese, I now subjoin the following statement of our numbers and our signatures, &c.
The Diocese of Oxford contains at this time about 591 Benefices with cure of souls, which are served by 547 Incumbents, who are assisted by 261 Curates. Of this total number about 40 incumbents must be left out of calculation as being prevented from taking part in such an act by insanity, extreme sickness, absence, age or other ascertained causes.
There remain 507 Incumbents; of these 393 have signed the Protest; 43 have declined to sign it, and have stated to me their “reasons” which are such as these:
1. That in it, this act of the Roman See is protested against as schismatical, not as “Anti-Christian.”
2. That to embody as it does, all the doctrinal protests of the English articles, is an insufficient Protest against the corrupt doctrines and idolatrous practices of Rome.
3. That the English Church is in it declared to possess a succession of orders from the Apostles.
4. That the Protest does not contain sufficient scriptural or doctrinal teaching to instruct ignorant Protestants.
5. Because it does not set forth corruptions and divisions which exist amongst ourselves.

20
Protest of the Diocese of Oxford.

6. Because it claims as on our side, the judgments of the Holy Church Universal.

Adding then the 43 who for some or all of these “reasons” have declined to sign it, and subtracting those before mentioned as incapacitated, there remain unaccounted for from the whole Diocese 74 incumbents.
The Protest has been signed by 242 curates and other clergymen resident and officiating in the Diocese—in all by 632 Clergymen.
Eighteen curates have not signed for the reasons above referred to.
Since the Protest was adopted and made public, a large number of lay Communicants and other laymen have subscribed, and are subscribing their assent and consent to the Protest of the Clergy.
To this our solemn Protest then, Right Reverend Brother, on behalf of the Clergy and subscribing Laity of this Diocese, and on my own behalf, I heartily desire your approval and concurrence, and praying God, even our Father, for Christ’s sake, to have you ever more in his Holy keeping, I remain, Right Reverend Brother,
Your faithful friend and servant in the Lord,
S. OXON.
To the Rt. Rev. the Bishop of Georgia.
__________

PROTEST.

In the name of God—Amen.

We Samuel, by Divine permission Bishop of the Diocese of Oxford, with the undersigned Priests and Deacons, being assembled under the protection of Almighty God in our Cathedral City of Oxford, on this twenty-second day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty—Do hereby, in the presence of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and before the whole Church, make this our solemn Protest and Declaration.
Whereas, we have seen or heard that the Bishop of Rome has pretended to divide this ancient Church and Realm of England into certain new Dioceses, and to appoint over them certain Bishops, to whom he, the said Bishop of Rome, pretends to commit the cure and government of the souls of all Christian people therein dwelling, contrary to the rights of this Church, and the ancient laws of this realm;–Now we, the said Bishop, Priests and Deacons, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do utterly protest against any such invasion of this church and realm: and we do declare that the church recognized by law in this land is the ancient Apostolic Church thereof, possessing the ancient faith, true Sacraments, and a lawful ministry; and

21
Letter from the Archbishop of Canterbury.

that her Bishops and Clergy are the Bishops and Clergy thereof, by unbroken descent from the Holy Apostles; and that the Missionaries of the Bishop of Rome within this land, who are striving to withdraw the people from the Communion of the English church, are intrusive and schismatical; and we protest before God and His Church, against these schismatical claims and proceedings, as also against their doctrines and teaching, as being, on many points of faith and practice, contrary to God’s Word and the teaching of the Universal Church; all which are more especially declared in the Articles of our said church of England. And we do declare that we believe that this our protest would be approved, and the schismatical acts and corrupt doctrine and idolatrous practices maintained by the Bishop of Rome would be condemned, by the judgment of the Universal Church, if it were possible that such judgment could be now by any means collected; and we declare that the church of England did, at the Reformation make, and hath now for 300 years, continued its protest against the claim of the said Bishop of Rome to exercise jurisdiction over the Church Universal, and over this Church of England in particular; and also against the false Doctrine of said church of Rome; and that we do now renew and continue the same protest.
And we do solemnly warn all Christian people committed to our charge, that they yield no obedience to the so-called Bishops now thrust into our land, under pain of incurring all the guilt of willful schism.

__________

B.

LAMBETH, March 21, 1851.
Right Rev. and Dear Brother: I think it right to apprize you that the Society, for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign parts, having, through the goodness and favor of Almighty God, been permitted to complete a century and a half of Missionary labor, has resolved to commemorate with thanksgiving and prayer the close of its third Jubilee.
The commemoration will commence on Monday, June 16th, being the anniversary of the signing of our Charter, with full Church Service in Westminister Abbey, and on the following Sunday, June 22d, sermons appropriate to the occasion will be preached in the Principal London Churches.
It is unnecessary for me to enter into further particulars, as they will be found in the accompanying printed Circular.

22
Letter from Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Society has good reason to expect that what may be called its solemn Jubilee, will be observed in all the Colonial churches, but the occasion seems to justify the hope of a still more comprehensive union of Prayer and Praise.
Bearing in mind the relation of our two Countries, and the intimate connexion which subsisted between the Society and many of the States during the greater part of the last century, I feel some confidence in proposing to you the joint celebration of a Jubilee, in which all the members of our church must feel a common interest.
I venture also respectfully to submit, whether in a time of controversy and division, the close communion which binds the Churches of America and England in one, would not be strikingly manifested to the world, if every one of their Dioceses was to take part in commemorating the foundation of the oldest Missionary Society of the Reformed Church. A Society which, from its first small beginnings in New England, has extended its operations into all parts of the world, from the Ganges to Lake Huron, and from New Zealand to Labrador. Such a joint commemoration, besides manifesting the rapid growth and wide extension of our church, would serve to keep alive and diffuse a Missionary spirit, and so be the means, under the divine blessing, of enlarging the borders of the Redeemer’s kingdom.
In submitting to you this proposal, it can hardly be necessary to add that we “desire no gift” but only your Christian sympathy and the communion of Prayer. If, however, the alms of your congregation be added to their prayers, we should rejoice to see them appropriated to the relief of the pressing needs of your own Church.
It would be a great satisfaction to me to learn from you at any moment of leisure, whether you have thought it expedient to take any step in this matter. And now, commending the whole subject to your serious consideration, and yourself to God’s care and protection,
I am, Right Rev. and Dear Brother,
Your affectionate Brother in the Lord,
J. B. CANTUAR.

__________

At the Annual meeting of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, held on Friday, February 21, 1851—The following Report was read and adopted:–
The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel having, through the mercy of Almighty God, been permitted to complete the labours of One Hundred and Fifty Years with no small measure of success, earnestly invites all who feel an interest in the Missionary operations

23
Report of Propagation Society.

of the Church of England, to join in celebrating, with thanksgiving and prayer, its Third Jubilee.
To this end, the Society recommends—That the time of celebration extend through an entire year, commencing June 16th, 1851, being the Anniversary of the day on which the charter was signed.
That, by permission of the Dean and Chapter, the opening of the Jubilee year be celebrated in Westminster Abbey, on Monday, June 16th, 1851, by Divine Service, with Holy Communion, and that the Members and friends of the Society be specially invited to attend.
That a public meeting of the Society be held in London on the following day (Tuesday), with a view to increase the interest of all classes in the religious condition of the British Colonies, and the Missionary work of the church.
That the District Secretaries in connexion with the Society, be invited to attend a Special Meeting, at 79, Pall Mall, on Wednesday, June 18th, at 11 A.M. to make arrangements for forming local Jubilee Committees.
That endeavors be made to procure as many of the London churches as possible for Sunday, June 22d, in order that Jubilee Sermons may be preached in various parts of the Metropolis on that day; and that Preachers for such churches be specially provided by the Society, if so desired by the Incumbents.
That the ordinary celebration of the Anniversary at St. Paul’s be fixed for some convenient day subsequent to June 16th.*
That the Dean and Chapters of the several Cathedrals in Great Britain and Ireland be requested to allow Jubilee Sermons to be preached in their Cathedral Churches, on such day, during the present year, as they may deem most suitable for a Diocesan Celebration of the Society’s Jubilee.
That on the First Sunday in Advent (Nov. 30th), or on any other convenient Sunday, the Jubilee be celebrated in every Parish Church where permission of the Incumbent may be obtained.
That the Bishops of the various Colonial Dioceses, and all other Bishops in communion with the Church of England, be informed forthwith of the contemplated arrangements for the celebration of the Jubilee at home; and that they be respectfully invited to unite with the Society in celebrating the same in their several dioceses, in such way as they shall deem expedient.
That a brief historical account of the Society’s past operations be prepared, and that a series of Colonial and Missionary publications
_____
*The Anniversary Festival will be held at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday, June 18th.

24
Journal.

together with some devotional tracts suitable to the occasion, be drawn up, under the superintendence of the Secretary.
That a Special Jubilee Fund be opened, which shall be appropriated, at the option of the contributors, to one or more of the following objects:
a. Extension of the Episcopate abroad.
b. Education of Missionary Candidates.
c. Emigrants’ Spiritual Aid Fund.
d. General Purposes of the Society.
J. B. CANTUAR.

__________

After the address, the following resolutions were adopted:
Resolved, That so much of the Bishop’s address as relates to the death of the Rev. Dr. Neufville, be referred to a committee of three Clergymen and three Laymen, to report suitable resolutions for adoption by Convention.
Rev. Messrs. Scott, Dr. Ford, R.M. White, and Messrs. Taylor, Nightingale and Whittle were appointed as that committee.
Resolved, That so much of the Bishop’s address as refers to the Protest of the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Oxford and the Clergy of his See against the late schismatical and intrusive acts of the Bishop of Rome, be referred to a committee to be appointed by the Bishop, consisting of three clergymen and three laymen, to report thereon to this convention.
Rev. Messrs. Dr. Ford, Scott and Bragg, and Messrs. Nelson, Gairdner and Fishburn were appointed as the committee.
Resolved, That so much of the Bishop’s address as refers to the communication of his Grace, the Archbishop of Canterbury, be referred to a committee of three clergymen and three laymen, to be appointed by the Bishop, to report to this convention.
Rev. Messrs. R. Johnson, R.M. White and Mower, and Messrs. Griffin, Williford and Yonge, were appointed as the committee.
The Parochial Reports were read and ordered to be printed in the Appendix.
Rev. R. Johnson asked and obtained leave of absence after to-day.
After Prayer by the Bishop, convention adjourned to the hour of Public Worship to-morrow morning.

__________

At night, Evening Prayer was read by the Rev. B. E. Habersham, and a sermon preached by the Rev. R.M. White.

25
Journal.

Saturday Morning; 10th May, 1851.
Morning Prayer was read by the Rev. R. M. White, and a sermon preached by the Rev. B.F. Mower.
After sermon, Convention was called to order—Present as on yesterday, except Rev. R. Johnson absent by leave.
The minutes of yesterday’s proceedings were read and confirmed.
The Standing Committee of the Diocese made the following report which was received and adopted:
To the Convention of the Diocese of Georgia:–
On account of the decease of the Rev. Edward Neufville, D.D., late President of the Standing Committee—the undersigned clerical members report—that the Committee have signed the Canonical testimonials, recommending to the Bishop, to be received as a candidate for Holy Orders, Mr Sherod W. Kennerly, late a Preacher of the Methodist denomination; and for ordination as Deacon, Mr Barnard Elliott Habersham; and as Priests, the Rev. James D. Gibson, Rev. William J. Perdue, and Rev. Barnard Elliott Habersham.
The Standing Committee have also signed a Testimonial in favor of the Rev. Francis H. Rutledge, D.D. as Bishop Elect of the Diocese of Florida.
SENECA G. BRAGG,
EDW. E. FORD,
Clerical Members of the Standing Comm.
Columbus, Ga. May 8, 1851.
The following communication was received from the Lay members of the Standing Committee, and was referred to the Rev. Dr. Ford, Rev. Messrs. Bragg and White, and Messrs. Nelson and Nightingale to report:
[This communication was not returned to the Secretary, and consequently is not inserted here. The purport of it was, that owing to the death of the Rev. Dr. Neufville, the oldest Presbyter of the Diocese, who has so long acted as President of the Committee, the lay members recommended that a majority of the Committee now to be chosen, be selected from some other place than Savannah.] Sec’ry.
The Committee on Missions made the following report, which was adopted:
The Committee on Missions beg leave to report that they have received during the year, the sum of $1,687 58; and expended the sum of $1,552 64, leaving in addition to a balance on hand last year, $100 03, a balance on hand of $234 97.
The Committee would thankfully acknowledge a bequest of $200 left the Diocesan Treasury, by the late Mrs. Adams of Augusta.
The demands upon the Missionary funds are constantly increasing, as new points are occupied by the Church; and hence we would urge upon the Parishes a continuance of their liberality, and that their remittances be made as soon as funds for this purpose are placed in their hands. The report of the Treasurer is herewith submitted.
STEPHEN ELLIOTT, Jr., Chairman.
The Committee on the state of the Church made the following report, which was adopted:

26
Journal.

The Committee on the state of the Church, respectfully report that upon an examination of the statistics, as far as handed in, they find gratifying indications of growing prosperity and liberality in the Church.
The number of communicants has increased to 950—the contributions during the year amount to $8,700—besides large sums not noticed in the reports, which have been subscribed towards building churches and other objects connected with the welfare of the Diocese.
The committee are thankful to be able to state, that two churches are now in progress of erection, and that five others are in contemplation, and will in all probability be built within a reasonable time.
On the whole, we find much cause for gratitude to the great Head of the Church, much encouragement in the prospects before us, and a strong call to Pastors and people to renewed diligence and zeal in the discharge of our several duties to Christ and his Church.
SENECA G. BRAGG, Chairman.
The Treasurers of the Diocese and of the Committee on Missions, presented their reports, which were referred to Messrs. Griffin, Lincoln and Camak, as a Committee on finance.
The Committee to whom was referred that part of the Bishop’s address relating to the death of the late Rev. Edward Neufville, D.D., presented the following preamble and resolutions, which were adopted:
Whereas, since our last annual Convention, it has pleased God to remove by death, from the counsels of the church in this Diocese, its oldest and most honored Presbyter; one who long presided over its deliberations, before it had a Bishop of its own—and who faithfully labored for nearly a quarter of a century to advance its interests; as a tribute of our affectionate regard for his memory, and an expression of our high sense of the value of his services, it is by this Convention,
Resolved, That we deeply feel and lament the loss which we have sustained in the death of the Rev. Edward Neufville, D.D.
Resolved, That we cherish such a memory of his many virtues, his unaffected goodness and his zeal in our great Master’s cause, by which, he being dead, yet speaketh, as incites us all to renewed diligence in that work of the Lord from which he now rests, and elevates our confidence in the reward which awaits the servants of God.
Resolved, That we tender our warmest sympathies to the afflicted family, and the bereaved parish of our loved and lamented brother.
Resolved, That copies of these resolutions be furnished by the Secretary to the family and parish of the deceased.
The Committee to whom was referred that part of the Bishop’s address relating to a communication and Protest of the Rt. Rev. the Bishop of Oxford, presented a report which, after some discussion, was referred back to the same Committee.
The Committee to whom was referred so much of the Bishop’s address as relates to a communication from the Archbishop of Canterbury, made the following report, which was accepted and adopted:
The committee appointed to consider so much of the Bishop’s address, as relates to the communication of his Grace, the Archbishop

27
Journal.

of Canterbury, respectfully report the following preamble and resolutions:
Whereas, his Grace, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has transmitted to the Diocese of Georgia a report of the Society for the propagation of the Gospel in Foreign parts, inviting the Bishop and Diocese to unite in celebrating their third Jubilee, beginning with the 16th of June, 1851, and extending through an entire year; and whereas, the said suggestion meets with the cordial approbation of the Bishop—therefore,
Resolved, That this convention deeply sensible of the debt of gratitude which our entire country owes to the venerable Society for its christian labors in our behalf in the days of our weakness, heartily sympathizes with the society in this their occasion of joy.
Resolved, That the Bishop be invited to address a Pastoral letter to the churches under his charge, providing for the time and manner of celebrating the Jubilee.
Resolved, That copies of the Journal of Convention containing these resolutions be transmitted through His Grace, the Archbishop of Canterbury, to the venerable society.
RICHARD JOHNSON, Chairman.
RUFUS M. WHITE,
B.F. MOWER,
DANIEL GRIFFIN.
The Committee on unfinished business made the following report which was accepted and read:
The Committee on unfinished business respectfully report, that they have carefully examined the journal of Convention for the year 1850, and find two items of unfinished business on its pages to which they would call the attention of the Convention—viz, first—a resolution to amend the reading of the 11th article of the Constitution, recorded on the 10th page of the journal; and
Secondly, the appointment of a committee to report on the powers of the Standing Committees in reference to the testimonials of candidates for orders, recorded on the 12th page of the journal.
RICHARD JOHNSON, Chairman.
JAMES CAMAK,
W.H. HUNT.
The Committee to whom was referred back the report relating to a communication and protest of the Bishop of Oxford, presented the following report, which was unanimously adopted, and directed to be forwarded, duly authenticated, together with a copy of the Journal of this Convention to the Rt. Rev. the Bishop of Oxford.
The Committee, to whom was referred so much of the Bishop’s address as relates to a Protest of the Right Reverend, the Lord Bishop of Oxford and his Clergy, against certain schismatical claims on the part of the Bishop of Rome, beg leave, by way of report, to recommend that the accompanying declaration of concurrence in said Protest be adopted by Convention, signed by the Bishop and by the Secretary, and transmitted, duly attested, to the Right Reverend, the Lord Bishop of Oxford.
EDWARD E. FORD, Chairman.
The Right Reverend, the Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Oxford,

28
Journal.

having communicated to the Right Reverend, the Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia, a solemn Protest of the said Bishop of Oxford and his Clergy, against certain recent schismatical claims to Jurisdiction on the part of the Bishop of Rome, within the ancient Catholic sees of the Church of England, and having solicited from the said Bishop of Georgia, his approval of, and concurrence in the said Protest; and the said Right Reverend Bishop of Georgia having, with a view to the more full expression of the sentiments of his Diocese, laid the said Protest before the annual Convention of his Diocese, now assembled in the city of Columbus;
Now, therefore, we, the said Bishop, and the Clerical and Lay members in said Convention assembled, disclaiming any expression of opinion touching questions arising under the political, or civil aspects under which the subject is presented in the said Protest, or is capable of being presented, but confining, or desiring and meaning to confine ourselves solely to its spiritual or theological aspects—do hereby solemnly testify and make known to the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Oxford, his Clergy and Laity, our full, thorough and cordial approval of, and concurrence in the said Protest.
But we cannot contend ourselves on the present occasion, with a simple declaration. United to the protesting parties in the sacred bond of the “communion of saints,” and as a branch of the one Catholic and Apostolic Church, holding and cherishing fraternal intercommunion with them through the precious heritage which we have derived from the Church of England in our Book of Common Prayer; taught to love and reverence the memory of those her learned and holy martyrs and confessors who, in the sixteenth century, triumphantly vindicated and established, against the unscriptural and anti-Catholic claims of the see of Rome, the system of scriptural and primitive truth and order, and the beautiful and venerable forms of ancient devotion, which are embodied in that precious book; we most gladly seize the present opportunity for testifying to the Right Reverend, the Lord Bishop of Oxford and his Clergy, our deep and heartfelt sympathy with them and with the whole Church of England, in this new conflict with her ancient foe; and to assure them that “until this tyranny be overpast,” our fervent prayers shall not cease to be offered up in her behalf to the great Head of the Church, that He would graciously vouchsafe her success in the maintenance, in their full integrity, of her ancient and Catholic rights and privileges, and thus avert from her beloved children a fresh inroad of “the corrupt doctrine and idolatrous practices maintained by the Bishop of Rome,” contrary to God’s word and the teaching of the Universal Church.
In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names and affixed the seal of the Episcopate of the Diocese of Georgia, this tenth day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.
Rev. Mr. Mower asked and obtained leave of absence after to-day.
After Prayer by the Bishop, Convention adjourned until 5 o’clock, P.M.
__________

5 O’Clock, P.M.
Convention met—Present as in the morning.
The Committee on Finance made the following report, which was accepted:

29
Journal.

The Committee on Finance to whom were referred the accounts of the Treasurer of the Diocese, and the Treasurer of the Missionary Committee, respectfully report,
That they find the statements of these officers clear and accurate, and each item of disbursement supported by a proper voucher.
DANIEL GRIFFIN, \
WM. W. LINCOLN, > Committee.
JAMES CAMAK, /
Columbus, Ga. May, 10th, 1851.
Convention proceeded to the election of Treasurers, and of the Missionary Committee, which resulted as follows:
Treasurer of the Diocese—GEORGE PARROTT, of Augusta.
Treasurer of the Missionary Committee—WILLIAM S. WILLIFORD, of Macon.

Committee on Missions,
Of the Clergy. Of the Laity.
Rev. Seneca G. Bragg, Messrs. N.C. Munroe,
Rev. J.A. Shanklin, L.N. Whittle,
W.S. Williford.
The Bishop appointed the Rev. Thompson L. Smith to preach the next Convention Sermon and the Rev. B.F. Mower as his substitute.
He also appointed the Rev. James D. Gibson to preach the next Missionary Sermon, and the Rev. George Macauley as his substitute.
It was Resolved, That the next Convention of the Church in this Diocese be held in the city of Augusta, on Thursday following the first Monday of May 1852.
Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention be returned to the citizens of Columbus for the hospitality extended to the members of this body; and that the Rector be requested to communicate this resolution to them.
Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention be returned to Messrs. Griffin and Mott, for their liberality in conveying the members of this body gratuitously over the stage line on their return to Barnesville; and that the Secretary be requested to communicate this resolution to the above gentlemen.
The report of the Committee on unfinished business was taken up, and a motion made to agree to the alteration of the Constitution proposed at the last Convention. After some discussion, the motion was decided in the negative.
After Prayers by the Bishop, Convention adjourned until 9 o’clock on Monday morning.
__________

At night Evening Prayer was read by the Rev. B.F. Mower, and a sermon preached by the Rev. James D. Gibson.
On Sunday morning, the Bishop held an ordination, when with the

30
Journal.

assistance of the Presbyters present, the Rev. Barnard Elliott Habersham was admitted to the Order of Priests.
Morning Prayer was read by the Rev. J.A. Shanklin; the sermon was preached by the Rev. T.F. Scott, and the candidate presented by the Rev. B.F. Mower. The Bishop was assisted in the communion by the Rev. Dr. Ford.
In the afternoon, Evening Prayer was read by the Rev. James H. George, and a sermon preached by Rev. B.E. Habersham.
At night, after service by the Rev. R.M. White, the Missionary sermon was preached by the Rev. T.L. Smith, and a collection made for Diocesan Missions, which was subsequently increased to $98 70.
__________

Monday Morning, 12th May, 1851.
Convention met according to adjournment, and was opened with Prayers by the Bishop.
The minutes of Saturday’s proceedings were read and confirmed.
The Committee to whom was referred the communication from the Lay members of the Standing Committee, presented the following report, which was received and laid on the table, and subsequently adopted:
The Committee to whom was referred a communication from the Lay members of the present Standing Committee of the Diocese, beg leave respectfully to recommend by way of report, that the Lay members of next Standing Committee be appointed from the city of Augusta, inasmuch as the senior resident Presbyter of the Diocese is settled at that point. E.E. FORD, Chairman.
Convention proceeded to the election of a Standing Committee, and of Deputies to the General Convention, which resulted as follows:
Standing Committee.
Of the Clergy. Of the Laity.
Rev. Edward E. Ford, D.D., Messrs. G. McLaughlin,
Rev. Seneca G. Bragg, Edw. F. Campbell,
Rev. Thomas F. Scott, Robt. H. Gardiner.
Deputies to the General Convention
Of the Clergy. Of the Laity.
Rev. Edward E. Ford, D.D. Messrs. George Parrott,
Rev. Seneca G. Bragg, James Potter,
Rev. Thomas F. Scott, Thos. M. Nelson,
Rev. Joseph A. Shanklin, P.M. Nighingale.
Resolved, That the Secretary of this Convention have one thousand copies of the Journal, together with the Constitution and Canons of the Church printed for distribution; and that he reserve one hundred copies for the use of the Diocese.

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Journal.

The remaining part of the report of the Committee on unfinished business was taken up; and on motion the Committee was continues, the Rev. S.G. Bragg being substituted in place of the Rev. Dr. Neufville, deceased.
Resolved, That the Secretary be authorized to have bound the Journal of this Convention from its organization to the present time, together with the Journal of the General Convention, for the use of this Convention.
Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention be tendered to Wm. B. Bulloch and William P. Hunter, Esqrs., and the Hon. Robert M. Charlton, the Lay members of the last Standing Committee, for their faithful services in that body, and their sincere devotion in the exercise of their office to the best interests of the Church in this Diocese.
Upon suggestion, the Bishop retired from the chair, having called Dr. Ford to preside.
The following preamble and resolutions were unanimously passed:
Whereas, the Right Rev. Bishop of the Diocese has, in his annual address to this Convention, communicated the intelligence that the Montpelier property has been repurchased and the school reorganized and continued; and whereas, it is fit and proper that this communication should meet with some response from this body.
Therefore be it resolved, That the information in regard to Montpelier Institute, conveyed to us by the Bishop of the Diocese in his annual address, is received by this Convention with feelings of deep interest and thankfulness.
Resolved, That in the opinion of this Convention, Montpelier Institute is an important and efficient ancillary in planting and sustaining of the Church in Georgia, and as such should be liberally and constantly sustained; and we therefore, cordially recommend and commit the school to the patronage and fostering care of all friends of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this State.
Resolved, As the unanimous sense of this Convention, that the Right Rev. the Bishop of this Diocese, in the great sacrifices he has made and in the toil and privations he has endured in sustaining Montpelier Institute, has conferred, especially on this Diocese, a great debt and obligation, which can only increase as in after years the seed he has so faithfully sown and cultivated shall bring forth fruit, and for which good works, we trust his reward awaiteth him.
Resolved, That to perpetuate our regard and gratitude for the Bishop of Georgia in this behalf, these resolutions be entered on the minutes of this Convention and make part of the records of the Church.
It was Resolved, That a Committee of five Laymen be appointed to revise the assessments of the Parishes for the Bishop’s salary.
The chair appointed Messrs. Whittle, Griffin, Nightingale, Gairdner and Yonge.
After a short absence the Committee presented the following report, which was adopted:
The Committee to whom was referred the resolution for revising the assessment of the Parishes for the Bishop’s salary, beg leave to report:–That they recommend that the Bishop’s salary be fixed at

32
Journal.

$2,500 per annum; and that the different Churches be assessed as per the annexed statement to raise the Bishop’s fund, the excess being designed to pay the balance now due the Treasurer of the Diocese; and to meet the contingency of future tardy remittances:
Christ Church, Savannah, – – – – – $1000
St. John’s, – – – – – – – 350
St. Paul’s, Augusta, – – – – – – 500
Christ Church, Macon, – – – – – 250
Trinity Church, Macon, – – – – – 250
Christ Church, St. Simons’, – – – – – 25
Grace Church, Clarkesville, – – – – – 25
St. Stephen’s, Milledgeville, – – – – – 10
St. James’, Marietta, – – – – – – 25
Emmanuel Church, Athens, – – – – – 10
St. Andrew’s, Darien, – – – – – – 25
St. David’s, Glynn, – – – – – – 50
St. Peter’s, Rome, – – – – – – 10
Church of Messiah, St. Marys, – – – – 20
St. Philip’s, Atlanta, – – – – – – 10
Zion Church, Talbotton, – – – – – 25
Church of Atonement, Augusta, – – – – 25
St. Paul’s, Albany, – – – – – – 25
Advent Church, Madison, – – – – – 10
Ascension, Cass co., – – – – – – 10
Ogeechee Mission, – – – – – – 10
______
Total – – – – – – $2,700
Resolved, That the same Committee be instructed to correspond with Rectors of the different Parishes, to inform them of the above assessment and to urge a speedy and faithful compliance therewith.
The Bishop now resumed the chair.

It was resolved, That the Convention do now adjourn sine die.

The Bishop briefly addressed the Convention, and closed its exercises with Prayer and the blessing.
STEPHEN ELLIOTT, Jr.
Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia.
Thomas F. Scott, Secretary.
Joseph A. Shanklin, Assistant Secretary.

PAROCHIAL REPORTS.

__________

CHRIST CHURCH—SAVANNAH.
Baptisms—(Infants) – – – – – – 17
Marriages, – – – – – – – 10
Burials, – – – – – – – 13
Confirmed, – – – – – – – 4
Communicants,–about – – – – – 160
Sunday School—Teachers and Pupils about the same as last year.

Contributions.
To Diocesan Missions, – – – – – – $673 69
Domestic Missions, – – – – – – 238 52
Foreign Missions, – – – – – – 734 75
Education of Candidates for Orders, – – – – 112 00
Communion Alms, – – – – – – 339 51
Bishop’s Salary, – – – – – – 1000 00
Sunday School children for education of children at
Missionary Stations in Africa and China, – – 55 00
Colored Sunday School—for education of a child in Africa – 20 00
_______
$3,173 47
_______

The Ladies’ Sewing Society contributed of the above amount $287 to Diocesan Missions, and the Ladies Missionary Association contributed to Domestic Missions $35, and to Foreign Missions $35. The Chinese and the African Societies have contributed $200, and $105 respectively to the objects of their organizations, which amounts are also included in the above return.
__________

For the first time in twenty-three years, this church tenders its conventional report through another than its Rector’s hands. Of course then this report cannot be as full and complete as heretofore.
On Wednesday the first of January 1851, the Rev. Edward Neufville, D.D., so long the untiring and devoted Pastor of Christ Church, closed a faithful ministry on earth, to commence a happy and unending New Year in Heaven. The blow has fallen heavily.—So heavily, indeed, as to leave an irreparable void in the hearts of his

34
Parochial Reports.

stricken flock, to whom he was bound by the associations of years, and endeared by the strongest and purest of ties.
W.B. BULLOCH, \ Wardens.
Savannah, May 5, 1851. W.P. HUNTER, /
__________

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH, AUGUSTA.
Rev. Edward E. Ford, Rector
Baptisms—Adults 9—children 30—Total – – – 39
Confirmed, – – – – – – – 7
Communicants—added 17—died 2—removed 6—Repelled 1—
Present number, – – – – – 136
Marriages, – – – – – – – 7
Burials 27—(10 not of the congregation) – – – 37
Sunday School, about 90 children, under 7 Teachers,
catechizing monthly, – – – – – 97
Collections.
For Diocesan Missions—Contributed to Committee
on Missions – – – – $353 56
Contributed to the Church of the Atonement,
Augusta, – – – – 115 00—468 56
For Domestic Missions of General Board,
Advent offerings 66 20
For Foreign Missions of General Board,
Epiphany offerings, 75 00
For candidates for orders in the Theological Seminary, – 31 62
For St. Philip’s Church Atlanta, to aid in building
a Parsonage 293 00
Communion Alms – – – – – – 390 00
__________
1,324 38
Of the above stated amount of $353 56 contributed to the Diocesan Committee on Missions, the sum of $200 arose under a bequest in the Will of the late Mrs. Sarah Adams, a pious and estimable Communicant of the Parish, who in March last, closed an exemplary life adorned by full many an act of Christian benevolence and of zeal for Christ and His Church, like that which is here most gratefully recorded.
The Rector would be doing injustice to his feelings did he omit this opportunity for recording, as an instance of peculiarly thoughtful, kindness and of affectionate interest in himself and his, on the part of his beloved people, the fact that several among them have recently caused to be insured upon his life, for the benefit of his family, the sum of Five Thousand Dollars.

35
Parochial Reports.

This very signal token of kindness and affection in the flock over whom he has exercised the sacred pastoral office for nineteen years, has, he trusts, awakened in him suitable emotions of gratitude, not only towards them, but also towards God, who hath vouchsafed him such favor in their eyes “for his work’s sake.” He feels that in his performance of that work, he can claim at their hands that measure only of commendation which may be due to sincere and well-meant endeavors for their spiritual welfare, and for the advancement among them of the sacred cause of “the Gospel in the Church.”
__________

CHRIST CHURCH, MACON.
Rev. J.A. Shanklin, Rector.
Baptisms—Adults 1—infants 17—total – – – 18
Confirmed, 1 in private, no public confirmation having
been held.
Communicants—added 4—removed 11—died 4—
present number, – – – – – 80
Marriages, – – – – – – – 4
Burials, – – – – – – – 5
Sunday School Scholars, – – – – – 84
Average attendance 60 to 70.
Teachers – – – – – – – 11
Contributions.
Diocesan Missions – – – – – $109 88
Church at Rome, – – – – – 10 00
Foreign Missions, – – – – – – 70 70
For Miss Williford, – – – – – 67 00
Prayer Books and Tracts, – – – – 90 00
Parochial purposes – – – – – 46 70
Children’s collection, principally for education in Africa. 11 65
Ladies Association – – – – – 431 79
_________
Total – – – – – – 837 72
The above report is to some extent meager and unsatisfactory.—It may not be amiss briefly to state the reasons of this fact. In the first place, the Rector was absent for some time last summer, though during this period the church was generally kept open by the kindness of two of his brother Presbyters. In addition to this in October last our church building was taken down; for three months we wor-

36
Parochial Reports.

shipped in an inconvenient and out of the way room. Since then we have occupied a Public Hall which is used by nearly all the exhibitions that visit our city. Owing to our situation the Holy Communion has been administered only four times during the year, nor were we able to enjoy our usual Lenten Services.
In addition to all this the winter has been one of unusual worldliness and gaiety, and it has required all the care and watchfulness of the Rector to prevent the spirit of the world from invading the church. In this he has not entirely succeeded, but it is hoped that most of our Communicants have held fast the profession of their faith.
In the course of the coming Fall we expect to occupy our new building, and then by setting forth the church in the completeness of her services, and thus bringing Christ ever before our people, we humbly trust that God will bless his truth and the means of his appointment to the conversion of sinners and the building up of Saints.
The decrease in the number of Communicants is owing to the fact that the names of several non-resident members have been erased from the list.

__________

TRINITY CHURCH, COLUMBUS.
Rev. Thomas F. Scott, Rector.
Number of Families, – – – – – – 53
Baptisms—Infants, 13—Adults, 3, – – – – 16
Marriages, – – – – – – – 3
Burials, – – – – – – – 8
Communicants—Added, 12—Removed, 58,
Present number—W. 101; B. 4, – – – – 105
Contributions.
Diocesan Missions – – – – 106 35
Domestic “ – – – – 158 05
Foreign, “ – – – – 20 00—-284 40
For Orphan Asylum, – – – – – – 55 00
Sunday School Books, – – – – – 30 31
Objects within the Parish, – – – – – 334 70
________
$704 41
Sunday School Teachers—Male, 6.
“ Females, 8.
Pupils—Male 35.
Female, 53
Colored, 18.—120
Of the monies above reported, the Ladies Sewing Society contri-

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Parochial Reports.

buted $178 10, and the Juvenile Missionary Society $5 10. Beside this, there has been received as a legacy for benevolent purposes by the late Miss Coolidge, $50.
The great reduction in the number of Communicants above reported is attributable to the fact that a number of servants heretofore reported from this church, have either been removed beyond its bounds, or transferred to the Diocese of Alabama.
The present Rector has so recently taken charge of the Parish, that he forbears to speak of its general condition. The very kind and fraternal manner in which he has been received, and the attendance upon the services, give every ground of encouragement for the future. Twelve pews have been added to our church accommodations, and other repairs or alterations made in the building.
__________

GRACE CHURCH, CLARKESVILLE.
Rev. B. F. Mower, Rector.
Baptisms—Adult 1, children 3, infants 3 – – – 7
Awaiting confirmation – – – – – 2
Marriage, – – – – – – – 1
Burial—Colored, – – – – – – 1
Communicants—removed 3, added 4, – – – 12
Contributions.
At the Holy Communion, – – – – – $29 12 ½
For Diocesan Missions, – – – – – 19 35
For General Missions, domestic, – – – – 2 25
“ “ “ Foreign, – – – – 15 25
“ Sunday School library – – – – – 10 50
“ Parish school, – – – – – – 50 00
__________
$126 47 ½
__________
__________

One of the baptisms reported above, was by the Rev. Mr. Habersham, who kindly assisted me in the various services of the church for two or three months last summer.
During the past year, I have had under my charge three Sunday schools—one in the village and two in the country. There are in all the schools 75 or 80 scholars. The teachers are eight in number.
This Spring, a day school for the poor was commenced in the country, seven miles from the village. Thus far it has been very successful. The parents are anxious and willing to send. Several of the Communicants of the church act as teachers.

38
Parochial Reports.

Since my last report, the church building has been painted within and without, and the church debt amounting to some six or seven hundred dollars, has been paid.
Many of the most influential families of Clarkesville have moved away within the past twelve months. Upon a population where there is never ceasing change, and where very few would stay in one place for any length of time, if they had the means to move, little can be done by the church except indirectly. In summer the congregation is generally good. I endeavor to perform my duty during the winter season, by going to those who will not come to me, by holding services in the meeting and school houses around Clarkesville, wherever I can get an audience, and especially by establishing Sunday schools and supplying these schools with books.
__________

ST. JOHN’S CHURCH—SAVANNAH.
Rev. Rufus M. White, Rector.
Communicants added, – – – – – – – 17
do Removed, – – – – – – 6
do Died, – – – – – – – 4
do Present Number, – – – – – 109
Baptisms—Infants 19—Adults 1– – – – – – 20
Confirmed, – – – – – – – – 4
Marriages, – – – – – – – – 4
Burials—from the Congregation, 4; Strangers, 14 – – – 18
The weekly offertory has produced during the year:
For the Bishop’s Salary, – – – – $250 00
For Diocesan Missions, – – – – 210 00
For General Domestic Missions, – – – 100 00
Foreign Missions, – – – – – 100 00
Candidates for Orders, – – – – 49 00
The Poor of the Parish, – – – – 263 70
Convention expenses, – – – – – 10 00
_________$982 70
Besides which, there has been contributed for the Church at
Atlanta, – – – – – – – – 139 50
For the Mission at Shanghai, – – – – – – 90 00
By the Sunday School for China and Africa, – – – – 45 00
_________
Total, – – – – – – – – – $1257 20
The expenses of the Orphan Asylum and the Parish school which are supported as usual, are not included in this account of the contributions of the Parish.

39
Parochial Reports.

The Sunday school is improving. The Ladies’ Sewing Society is doing effective service. The church has been opened as heretofore, upon all the days for which a special service is appointed in the Prayer Book. During the Season of Lent we had Daily Evening Prayer in the church, and during the Passion Week, service and a sermon each night. The services during the whole season were generally well attended; and it is hoped, were profitable to many.
Soon after our last Convention, I found myself by severe domestic afflictions, compelled to resign the charge of my Parish, which resignation took place on the first of June; and in July, God removed from me by death, one who had been truly a help-meet to me, in all the duties of my ministry, and all the trials of life. From the first of June to the first of November, the Rev. George Macauley had temporary charge of the Parish; and ministered most acceptably among the people. Having received so gratifying a proof of the confidence and affection of my old parishioners as to receive from the vestry an invitation to become again their minister, I will, “God being my helper, give faithful diligence, always so to minister among them the doctrine and sacraments, and the discipline of Christ, as the Lord hath commanded, and as this church hath received the same, according to the commandments of God,” and I pray God that it may be with such good success, that I may be able to present them all, perfect in Christ Jesus.”

__________

ST. LUKE’S CHURCH—MONTPELIER, GA.
Rt. Rev. Stephen Elliott, Jr. D.D. Rector
Rev. Seneca G. Bragg, Assistant Rector.
Number of white families, – – – – – – 3
Communicants—White 15, colored 1, – – – – 16
Baptisms—Adult, none, infant 1, – – – – – 1
Confirmations, none
Marriages—White none, colored 1, – – – – – 1
Funerals—White none, colored infant 1, – – – – 1
Sunday school—including Pupils of Montpelier Institute—
number of scholars 60, teachers 3, – – – – 63
Colored Sunday school—Average attendance of adults and
children 20, teachers 4, – – – – – 24
Contributions.
Chiefly by Montpelier Ladies’ Missionary Society, (inclu-

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Parochial Reports.

ding ten dollars from a Female communicant,) for Diocesan
Missions, – – – – – – – – $50
Do. for Domestic and Foreign Missions, (including from a
Female communicant $5 for each, making ten dollars,) – – 65
For Missionary purposes, or for Chapel, (at the discretion
of Bishop Elliott,) – – – – – – – 50
For Special Benevolent objects, (50 of which contributed by
Ladies’ Missionary Society, and 10 by two individuals,) – – 60
For Sunday School Library, by Ladies’ Missionary Society, – – 5
_____
Total, – – – – – – – – $230
Having no suitable house for Public Worship, to which to invite families residing in the vicinity of the Institute, we can not hope for the enlargement of the church beyond the limits of the school. Systematic religious instruction is given to the pupils in Bible classes, as well as through the appointed channels of Divine service. Select portions of the Holy Scriptures are committed to memory and recited each day: and we have gratifying evidence that the good seed of the Gospel is springing up into spiritual life and yielding fruit—to the praise of the Divine Husbandman, our Lord Jesus Christ.
__________
ST. ANDREWS’ CHURCH, DARIEN.
Rev. George H. Clark, Rector.
There have been no important changes in this Parish during the past year. The services held once a fortnight in the winter, and once a month during the summer, have been well attended, and have awakened some interest among those who are not Episcopalians.
The debt incurred by the erection of the Church edifice, is still unpaid. It is to be hoped, that the difficulties which impede the prosperity of this Parish, may be removed; and that the zeal and the prayers of those who are connected with it, may be rewarded by rich and abundant blessings.
Number of Communicants is 26, Baptisms, infants 3.
To the Right Reverend the Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia.
_________

ST. DAVID’S CHURCH, GLYNN COUNTY.
Rev. George H. Clark, Rector.
This Parish is at present sustained by four families. Services have been held once in two Sundays through the year, at the Church, or the summer residences of the Planters, and about once in two weeks, during the winter, at each of the plantations.

41
Parochial Reports.

During the summer a Sunday School was established and the children were instructed by the Rector in the catechism.
By the liberality of two families, the church edifice has been carpeted, and a surplice placed in the vestry room.
If the statistics of the Parish do not report contributions—made for Institutions abroad—it should be remembered, that the gentlemen of St. David’s within a few years, have erected a Church edifice at an expense of $1,000, and a Parsonage at an expense of nearly $1,500.
Baptisms—adults 3, infants 1. Marriages—2. Confirmations—(in Savannah) 1. Communicants—10.
To the Right Reverend the Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia.
__________

ST. JAMES’ CHURCH, MARIETTA.

Rev. J.S. Hanckel, Rector Elect.

The subscriber resigned the Rectorship of St. James’ Church the last of February. Services have since been regularly conducted by Rev. J.J. Hunt, to whom the late Rector was greatly indebted for several years for very kind and frequent assistance, both in the church and Sunday school.
Number of Families, – – – – – – – 10
Baptisms—Infants, – – – – – – – 2
Marriages, – – – – – – – – 3
Funerals, – – – – – – – – 3
Communicants—added, 8; removed, 5
Present number—White 45; Colored 3 – – – – 48
Collections for Diocesan Missions, – – – – – $16 38
Domestic, – – – – – – – – 10 00
_______
Total, – – – – – – – – $26 38
This Parish continues gradually to increase, and with God’s blessing upon the labors of the Rector elect, we may fondly anticipate a still greater degree of prosperity.
THOMAS F. SCOTT.

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Parochial Reports.

EMMANUEL CHURCH, ATHENS.
Rev. T.L. Smith, Rector.
Baptisms—Infants 1, adult 1, – – – – – – 2
Marriages, – – – – – – – – 3
Burials, – – – – – – – – 3
Confirmed, – – – – – – – – 2
Communicants—Died 1, removed 8, – – – – – 31
Contributions.
To Diocesan Missions, – – – – – $14 65
“ Domestic “ – – – – – – 10 10
“ Communion alms, – – – – – – 22 95
“ Benevolent purposes connected with the Parish, – – 445 30
_________
Total, $493 00
The Rector and vestry have given testimonials to two candidates for Orders during the past year, and the Rector has presented three for Ordination.
So far as I have been able to learn, Emmanuel Church, Athens, was organized in the fall of ’42, and was received into the Diocese as a parish at the convention of May, 1843. And by the Grace of God she has continued to this day; notwithstanding the continual draining she has suffered yearly by removals, the opposition she has met from enemies, and the hindrances sustained from Satan.
Amid all the vicissitudes through which she has past, the great head of the church has always left a remnant of true believers, and in all her temptations from the great enemy of souls, there have been a few names which have not defiled their garments. And often where her enemies have thought that her foot had “well nigh slipt,” God has always raised up some faithful friend to bring her timely help.
So that we may well say, verily “The Lord of hosts has been with us—the God of Jacob is our refuge.”
__________

ST. PETER’S CHURCH, ROME.
Rev. James D. Gibson, Rector.
Number of families connected with the Parish, – – – 20
Baptisms—Adults 1, infants 19, total – – – – – 20
Communicants, removed 3, ex-communicated 1, added by
removal 4, present number, – – – – – 22
Confirmations, – – – – – – – 7
Marriages, – – – – – – – – 2
Sunday schools 2, teachers 7, scholars 63, white, 1 colored, – – 64

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Parochial Reports.

Communion alms, – – – – – – – $24 96
Lenten collection for Diocesan Missions, – – – – 1 83
Easter day &c. for Domestic Missions, – – – – 1 75
_______
$28 54
It is with humble gratitude to the author of all good that the Rector of this Parish is enabled to report it in so favorable a condition; although in the past year he has had many things to discourage him, the nature of which he deems inexpedient to report. In Vans Valley (mentioned in the Bishop’s last annual address) we have services every month at two different places, at both of which the congregations are large and deeply attentive. In my opinion this point is second to no other in the Diocese as a Missionary field. An effort is at present being made, principally through the influence and exertions of a church family resident there, to build a church in the village of Cave Spring. At present we worship in the Female Academy which has been kindly tendered to us.
__________

CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION, CASS CO.
Rev. William J. Perdue, Rector.
Families, – – – – – – – – 2
Baptisms—Infants, 1—Adults, 5, – – – – – 6
Confirmed, colored – – – – – – – 2
Candidates for confirmation, – – – – – – 2
Communicants—Removed 2, added, 2, present number, – – 7
Marriages, – – – – – – – – 2
Funerals, – – – – – – – – 1
Sunday School—Teachers, – – – – – – 1
Scholars, – – – – – – 8
Several times during the present Ecclesiastical year, as opportunity occurred, I have read Prayers and preached both in Cassville and in the new town of Calhoun. At the last mentioned place there are one or two Episcopal families, and many warm friends of the church, who earnestly desire the regular and stated services of Her ministry. A lot has been secured on which to erect a Church Edifice.
At the church of the Ascension, our acknowledgements are due to a lady of Maryland for the gift of a very handsome Communion Set; also to three ladies of Savannah for a valuable present to the Rector of the Parish.
“God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor or love, which ye have shewed towards his name, in that ye have ministered to the Saints, and do minister. (Heb. VI. 10.)

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Parochial Reports.

ZION CHURCH, TALBOTTON.
Rev. Richard Johnson, Rector.
Baptisms, – – – – – – – – 1
Communicants, – – – – – – – – 8
Sunday School pupils, – – – – – – – 51
Candidates for confirmations, – – – – – – 4
Contributions to Diocesan Missions, – – – – – $20 00
This Parish has suffered much from a severe spell of sickness, with which it pleased the Great Head of the church to afflict the Rector. From the 2d Sunday in September last, to the 1st Sunday after Easter he was unable to perform any duty. He feels very thankful to be able to report that he is again able to offer the bread of life to hungering souls. A fine organ has been secured for the church, which soon will be in use. The Rector is provided with funds to complete the interior of the church building which will soon be done.
__________

ST. PHILIP’S CHURCH, ATLANTA.
Rev. William J. Zimmer, Minister.
Communicants—Removed 3, added 2, total – – – – 8
Families, – – – – – – – – 6
Baptisms—Adult – – – – – – – 1
Candidates for confirmation, – – – – – – 1
Burials, – – – – – – – – 1
Sunday School—Pupils – – – – – – 60
“ “ Teachers, – – – – – – 10
“ “ Library, volumes, – – – – – 125
Communion collections, – – – – – $19 00
Expended on the church for fence, &c., – – – 313 50
Collected in Atlanta and Marietta for a parsonage, – – 141 50
“ “ Augusta for a parsonage, – – – 300 00
“ “ Savannah, “ “ – – – – 300 00
“ “ Charleston, “ “ – – – – 392 62
“ “ Wilmington, N.C. and Virginia, – – – 168 00
The prospect is favorable—attendancet from 30 to 50; many of the Sunday school take a part in the service. I give one half of each Sunday to the Sunday school—school in the morning before service and in the afternoon. In the afternoon the exercises consist of chanting, reading the psalter and prayer, and reading, explaining, and applying the collect, Epistle and Gospel for the day. In consequence of sickness caused by sleeping in my vestry room through necessity, I was unable to preach for 12 weeks last winter. This and the having to teach my day school in the church, forced me to build; I com-

45
Parochial Reports.

menced mainly on my own responsibility, believing that God’s people would aid me, and the above statistics show that my faith was well grounded. And in regard to my late visit to Augusta, Savannah, Charleston, Wilmington and Richmond, the least that I can find it in my heart to say is, that they felt it was more blessed to give, than to receive. The Bishop, Clergy and Laity of Charleston responded to my application without regard to its being out of that Diocese.
__________

OGEECHEE MISSION.

Rev. W.C. Williams, Missionary.
Baptisms—Adult, colored, 4, infants, colored, 14, infant,
White (by the Bishop) 4, total – – – 22
Confirmed, colored, – – – – – – 8
Communicants, colored, – – – – – 17
Marriages, “ – – – – – 6
Burials, white, 2, colored, 16, – – – – – 18
Contributions.
Diocesan Missions, – – – – $5 00
Communion alms, – – – – 18 47
Domestic Missions, – – – – 5 00
Foreign Missions, – – – – 10 00
Female school at Shanghai, – – – 5 00
Candidates for Orders, – – – 5 00
_______
Total – – – – – – – $48 47
The Missionary has had much to encourage him to hope that the Holy Spirit is blessing his labors. His congregations have been better during the past year than ever before, and much interest has been manifested in Divine things. He has received twenty two persons as candidates for Baptism, and they are now under instruction, preparatory to that Sacrament. If the hopes of the Missionary are realized his next report will show that the church is rapidly gaining a hold among the people committed to his charge. He earnestly asks the prayers of the church in behalf of his work. The negroes surely have strong claim on Southerners, and their prayers and personal efforts ought to be given to their religious improvement.

46
Parochial Reports.

CHURCH OF THE ADVENT, MADISON.
Rev. B.E. Habersham, Missionary.
Families, – – – – – – – 8
Baptisms—White adults 1—infants 5, – – – 6
Communicants, – – – – – – 8
Candidates for confirmation, – – – – – 2
Sunday School—Scholars 10, teachers 2, – – – 12
Communicants attending service at Union Point, – – 3
Families—(Episcopal) – – – – – 2
Our regular services were commenced in this place in November last, having been for some months delayed for the want of a place of Worship, since which time the congregation has been gathered. It consists almost entirely of families and persons recently settled here, and the communicants are exclusively such. A number of persons now connected with other congregations have been within a short time lost to us for want of a church here.
The sum of three hundred dollars has been subscribed for the support of the Mission during the current year. Fifty dollars of which we pay for rent of the Town Hall on Sundays, as a place of Worship. Of this amount a large proportion is subscribed by persons of other denominations, and the attendance of christians of other name upon our services has been very encouraging. The Missionary adds a small amount to his means of support by assisting in the Male Academy. Morning and afternoon service has been regularly performed every Sunday, except one in the month, when they have been held at Union Point. The inducement to hold service at that place was the presence of two Episcopal families, besides several others who regularly attend, and the absence of other religious services. The attendance of persons connected with the Railroad and residing in the vicinity, has been very good; but the transient character of the congregation renders the continuance of that Mission uncertain.
Here we have organized Wardens and Vestry, shall build a church so soon as we can, and trust that it is the work of the Lord.
__________

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH, ALBANY.
Rev. James H. George, Missionary.
After my ordination, which took place in St. James church, Marietta, on the 30th June last, my time was spent in teaching a day school in Cassville, and on Sunday I held service once and sometimes twice in my school house. Aside from this I spent 1st Sunday in Sept. in Rome

47
Parochial Reports.

and preached twice for the Rev. Mr. Gibson. I held service twice in the town of Calhoun, Gordon co., to a small but very attentive audience. I spent one Sunday in Marietta in the Rector’s absence to the General Convention. I spent one Sunday with the Rev. Mr. Perdue at the church of the Ascension and preached for him on that occasion.
In the latter part of November, I paid a visit to the Bishop, and on my way I preached once in Atlanta and twice in Macon. Saw the Bishop at Montpelier, and plans were formed for my future labors. I t was finally determined that I should remove with my family from Cass to Baker co.; on my way I spent one Sunday in Macon, preached once and read the service once for the Rev. Mr. Shanklin. I paid a visit to Baker to make arrangements for the reception of my family, and found there several of my old friends and acquaintances who received me with great cordiality. The friends of the church who were hungering and thirsting for her services received me with open arms. Nothing could exceed the zeal with which they entered into the work. And where great fears were entertained about ministerial support and where it was expected that the Mission would have to look mainly to the Missionary Society for aid; and when we were enquiring who shall roll us away the stone, we found that the Spirit of God had gone before us and prepared the way. Indeed so kind and liberal were the people that your Missionary had to say to them, it is enough, and more than enough, save your means for other matters. On the 24th January I arrived with my family in Albany, and commenced my work as follows: On every first Sunday I preach at the plantation of Mr. Nightingale, in a house which he had erected for that purpose and found here himself and Mrs. Nightingale and forty eight servants, Communicants of the church. The servants are assembled every Sunday, catechised and made familiar with our church service. I have baptized 21 children and solemnised 1 marriage. On the 2d Sunday I preach at the plantations of Maj. Nelson, Maj. Fishburn and Mr. Hill; at Maj. Fishburns I found 18 Communicants and made arrangements to baptize the children here on last Sunday, but the inclemency of the weather prevented my attendance. Here also I found the servants well instructed in the liturgy. On the 3d Sunday I preach in Albany and every Friday evening. In this immediate vicinity I found six Communicants and some few more remote. On the 4th Sunday I preach at the house of Mr. A. Colquitt. This is an interesting neighborhood, and although there are no Communicants of the church, yet her services are highly appreciated, and they are liberal in their support of the Mission. The whole number of Com-

48
Parochial Reports.

municants within this Parish is 88, twenty whites and sixty eight blacks. Eight of this number were confirmed at the Bishop’s visit on Easter, at which time he baptized a number of persons most of whom were the children of the servants on Maj. Nelson’s plantation. The Bishop’s visit was like water on a dry and thirsty land to this longing people for the bread of Heaven. The Parish is preparing to build several houses for public Worship; one in Albany for which some thousand or twelve hundred dollars have been subscribed; one in the vicinity of Mr. Nightingale, Judge Andrews, Dr. Lawton and Mr. Jos. Bond. For this, Mr. Joseph Bond has given the location and about $400 subscribed; one in the neighborhood of Maj. Nelson and Maj. Fishburn. This, these two gentlemen intend to build of themselves. There is one spoken of also in the vicinity of Messrs. Colquitt and Tarver.
It is the purpose of the Vestry to push forward these houses of public worship so as to have them ready for consecration early in the Fall. Before I close this report, suffer me to say one word in relation to this interesting field of labor. I know of no wider sphere of ministerial labor than that which presents itself in this section of the State. There seems to be a strong desire on the part of masters to have their servants instructed. The question has been asked again and again can you not come and preach to me and my servants—indeed, I may say the feeling is almost universal. It seems to me there could not be presented a wider and more interesting field of christian enterprise. May the Lord of the harvest send forth laborers into this great harvest of the Lord!
__________

Marietta, May 6th, 1851.
Since the last convention, my services have been mostly confined to an occasional aid of the Brother in whose Parish I have been residing. Any ministerial act requiring notice will be embodied in the aggregates of the Parish where it may have been performed.
JNO. JAS. HUNT.
__________

Since my last report to convention (1850) I have preached each Sunday, except two, once at the Penitentiary and twice at the church. I have administered the Communion on the first Sunday of each month, and have baptised four infants.
Milledgeville, Ga., Nov. 27, 1850. WM. JOHNSON.
__________
- In the abstract of Parochial Reports, the amounts contributed for Bishop’s salary are not included. Where no reports were furnished, the items here inserted were taken from a previous Journal.

49
Constitution.

CONSTITUTION

OF THE

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH,

IN THE DIOCESE OF GEORGIA.

__________

ARTICLE I—The Church of this Diocese, as a constituent part of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America, accedes to, recognises, and adopts the general Constitution of that Church, and acknowledges its authority accordingly.
ARTICLE II—A Convention of this Church shall be held at such time of each year and place as the previous Convention may appoint, provided, however, that no Convention shall be opened for the transaction of business unless there be present at least two clergymen and delegates from two congregations. And in case no Convention be formed, the standing officers of the last Convention shall hold their respective offices until successors shall be appointed.
ARTICLE III—The Bishop, or, if the Episcopate be vacant, the Standing Committee, shall have power, when it appears requisite for the good of the Church, to call a Special Convention, by a circular letter to the several Churches. There shall not be less than four weeks notice previous to the day appointed, and such meeting shall be holden when the authority calling it shall determine, and at such Special Convention no other business shall be transacted than that stated in the notice calling the Convention.
ARTICLE IV—The Convention shall be composed of Clergymen and Laymen. Every Clergyman in good standing, regularly settled and continuously exercising clerical functions in any existing Parish, or who shall have been six months last past performing missionary duties under the direction of the Ecclesiastical authority of this Diocese, shall be entitled to all the privileges of a member of this Convention; and every duly recognised Minister of this Church canonically resident for six months last past within the Diocese, being engaged in the business of literary instruction, or disabled by reason of age or infirmity from exercising clerical functions, shall be entitled to all the privileges of a member of the Convention, with the exception of a right to vote. Each church or congregation in union with this Convention shall be entitled to a representation by one Lay Delegate or more,

50
Constitution.

not exceeding three, to be chosen from its own body by the Wardens and Vestrymen thereof; provided, however, that the Minister, or, in his absence, the Delegate or Delegates present at any Convention, may supply any vacancy in the delegation, if he or they should find, at the place of meeting, a member or members of the congregation which they are empowered to represent.
ARTICLE V—New Parishes may be admitted into union with this Convention by a majority of votes; provided, that they shall have laid before the Convention written evidence, subscribed by the Wardens, that they accede to the Constitution and Canons of this Church, and are regularly organized by the election of two Wardens, and any number of Vestrymen at discretion, not exceeding eight.
ARTICLE VI—Every meeting of the Convention shall be opened with Morning Prayer, and a Sermon, delivered on the first day of the Convention, by a Preacher appointed at the preceding Convention; a Sermon on Missions shall also be preached some time during the sitting of each Convention, when a collection shall be made in aid of Missions within the Diocese. The appointment of both Preachers, with substitutes, shall be made by the Bishop, or, in his absence, by the President of the Convention.
ARTICLE VII—The Convention shall deliberate and act as one body, unless when any member shall call for a division on any question, in which case each clerical member shall be entitled to one vote, and the lay delegates of each congregation jointly to one vote; and a majority of both orders shall be necessary to a decision.
ARTICLE VIII—The Bishop of the Diocese shall be ex-officio President of the Convention. In case there be no Bishop, or, in his absence, a presiding officer shall be elected from among the clerical members present.
ARTICLE IX—At each annual meeting of the Convention, a Secretary and Treasurer shall be chosen, to hold their respective offices until the next annual Convention, or until successors shall be appointed. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive, or cause to be received, at each annual Convention the assessments upon the Parishes of this Diocese for defraying the incidental expenses of the Convention and the support of the Episcopate—and also to pay the Bishop quarterly, in advance, the amount of salary pledged to him by this Convention; making a faithful return of all these his acts in his annual report to the Convention of this church.
ARTICLE X—A Standing Committee shall be chosen at each annual meeting of this Convention, to consist of three clerical and three lay

51
Constitution.

members; of the time and place of whose meetings due notice in writing shall be given to all the members thereof at least one week before the time of such meeting. At a meeting thus notified, any four members shall constitute a quorum. The Standing Committee shall meet as soon as practicable after their election, and choose a President and Secretary from among their own number, and it shall be the duty of the President to call a meeting of the committee whenever he shall be required to do so by any three members of the committee. Vacancies in this committee, caused by death, resignation, or otherwise, shall be supplied by the suffrages of the remaining members.
ARTICLE XI—The Convention shall annually elect four clergymen and four laymen as deputies to the General Convention, and to any special General Convention which may be held in the recess of this Convention, who shall be empowered, in the absence of one or more of their colleagues, to appoint in the place of such delegate or delegates any citizen or citizens of this State; provided, that such citizen or citizens be a member or members of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this Diocese; or, if it be inconvenient for any delegate or delegates to proceed to the place of meeting, the Bishop is authorized to appoint others in their place. In case of a vacancy in the Episcopate, the power hereby conferred on the Bishop shall be exercised by the Standing Committee.
ARTICLE XII—A proposition for altering and amending this Constitution shall be introduced in writing, and considered in Convention, and if approved by a majority, shall lie over to the next Convention, when, upon consideration again, if it be approved by a majority of the Convention, it shall be adopted.
ARTICLE XIII—In all elections by ballot, a majority of votes shall be required for a choice.

__________

CANONS.

CANON 1—Each Church duly represented in this Convention shall pay or caused to be paid into the hands of the Treasurer of the Convention the sum of ten dollars annually for defraying the incidental expenses of the Convention.
CANON II—In case any clergyman of this Diocese shall be accused of error in doctrine, immorality of life, or neglect or transgression of any of the canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, or this Diocese, it shall be the duty of any two or more Clergy-

52
Canons.

men, or of the Wardens and Vestrymen of the church of which he is Rector, or to which he may belong, who shall have knowledge or belief of such misdemeanor, to represent the same to the Bishop, or, in case there be no Bishop, to the Standing Committee of the Diocese.—In the event of such representation, it shall be the duty of the Bishop, or, if there be no Bishop, the Standing Committee, if he or they shall deem the charge or charges worthy of investigation, forthwith to notify the accused of such charges, together with the time and place appointed for trial. The mode of trial shall be as follows: the Bishop or Standing Committee, as the case may be, shall appoint a number of Presbyters, not less than five, or whom the person accused may select a majority, by whom to be tried. The result of the trial shall be made known to the Bishop, or, if there be no Bishop, to the Standing Committee, who shall pronounce and execute, or cause to be pronounced and executed, such sentence as may be awarded, should the same by him or them be deemed just and proper.
Should the sentence be suspension or degradation from the Ministry, the Bishop, or Provisional Bishop, or, should there be none, some neighboring Bishop, shall be required to pronounce the same.
Should it be impossible to obtain from this Diocese the requisite number of Presbyters to constitute a board of trial, the deficiency may be supplied from a neighboring Diocese.
Should any Clergyman accused and cited for trial according to the provisions of this canon, neglect or refuse to obey the citation, such neglect or refusal shall be considered as an acknowledgment of the truth of the charges preferred against him, and sentence shall be pronounced accordingly.
CANON III—The Convention shall appoint annually, by ballot, a committee of two Clergymen and three Laymen, of which committee the Bishop of the Diocese, when there is one, shall be ex-officio chairman; whose duty it shall be to take in charge the Missionary, Bible, Common Prayer Book, Tract and Sunday School operations of the church in this Diocese; and it shall be further the duty of this committee to make a full report of all their proceedings to each succeeding annual Convention.
CANON IV—It shall be the duty of the Vestry of each Church in connexion with this Diocese to pay, or cause to be paid, into the hands of the Treasurer of the Convention, at each annual meeting of the Convention, the amount of the assessment laid upon the churches respectively represented by them for the support of the Episcopate of this Diocese.

53
Canons.

CANON V—Section 1. Whenever any number of persons shall associate to form an Episcopal Congregation, they shall adopt articles of association for their government, in which they shall acknowledge and accede to the constitution, canons, doctrines, discipline and worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, and the constitution and canons of the Diocese of Georgia; they shall assume a suitable name by which their Church or Parish shall be designated, and elect two Wardens and any number of Vestrymen at discretion, not exceeding eight. A certified copy of the articles of association, and of the proceedings at their adoption, signed by the Wardens, shall then be laid before the Convention, and if approved by that body, delegates from such congregation or Parish may take seats in the Convention, and the congregation shall be considered as united to the Convention and subject to its decisions.
Section 2—The election of Wardens and Vestrymen in every Parish thus constituted, shall take place annually on Easter Monday, unless some other time be specified in the act of incorporation, with the assent of the ecclesiastical authority of the Diocese.

54

Treasurer’s Report.

DIOCESE OF GEORGIA.

IN ACCOUNT WITH GEORGE PARROTT, TREASURER.
1850 DR.
May 9. To balance due Treasurer, ac’t ren’d this day, – $289 08
June 1. Cash paid Bishop Elliott, – – 1 400 00
June 12. Cash, “ “ “ – – – 2 100 00 500 00
June 21. Paid Rev. Mr. Scott, printing Journals, 3 60 00
Sep. 12. Paid Bishop Elliott’s bill, – – 4 100 00
Sep. 21. “ “ “ “ – – 5 100 00
Oct. 16. Paid Bishop Elliott, – – – 6 250 00
“ Paid Bishop Elliott, – – – 7 50 00 500 00
“ Paid quota to the General Convention, 8 28 00
Dec. 4. Paid Bishop Elliott’s bill, – – 9 500 00
Dec. 26. Paid Rev. Mr. Scott, (being allowance for
Convent,) – – – 10 15 00
1851.
March 1. Paid Bishop Elliott’s bill, – – 11 500 00
________
$2,392 08
1851.
May 5. To balance due Treasurer, account rendered this day, $124 58
(Christ Church, Macon, is behind quota to Bishop’s Salary for 1850 and 1851.)
__________

1850. CR.
May 10. By St. Peter’s Church, Rome, For Convention purposes. – $10 00
“ St. James’, Marietta, “ “ “ – – 10 00
“ Emanuel Church, Athens, “ “ “ – – 10 00
“ Christ Church, Macon, “ “ “ – – 10 00
“ Trinity Church, Columbus “ “ “ – – 10 00
June, “ St. Paul’s Church, Augusta, “ “ “ – – 10 00
1851. – – 10 00
March. “ St. John’s Church, Savannah, “ “ “ – – 10 00
April. “ Christ Church, Savannah, “ “ “ – – 10 00
1850.
May 10. “ Trinity Church, Columbus, – – – – 100 00
Dec. 4. “ St. Paul’s Church, Augusta, – – – – 250 00
6. “ Christ Church, Macon. (for 1849 a 1850) – – – 300 00
11. “ St. John’s Church, Savannah, – – – – 125 00
1851.
Feb. 3. “ Christ Church, Savannah, – – – – – 680 00
21. “ Christ Church, St. Simons, – – – – 37 50
March 8. “ St. John’s Church, Savannah, – – – – 125 00
April 16. “ Christ Church, Savannah, – – – – – 320 00
May 5. “ St. Paul’s, Augusta, – – – – – 250 00
Balance due Treasurer to new ac’t. – – 124 58
___________
$2,392 08
GEORGE PARROTT,
Treas. of the Diocese of Georgia.
Near Augusta, Ga., May 5, 1851.—E: E.

55
Treasurer’s Report.

RECAPITULATION.

__________

Received from Christ Church, Savannah, – – – – – $623 91
“ St. Paul’s Church, Augusta, – – – – – 353 56
“ St. John’s “ Savannah, – – – – – 260 00
“ Christ’s “ Macon, – – – – – 109 88
“ Trinity “ Columbus, – – – – – 106 35
“ St. James’ “ Marietta, – – – – – 19 32
“ St. Stephen’s “ Milledgeville, – – – – 21 95
“ St. Luke’s “ Montpelier, – – – – 50 00
“ Emmanuel “ Athens, – – – – – 14 25
“ Christ “ St. Simons, – – – – 35 21
“ Grace “ Clarkesville, – – – – 23 65
“ Church of the Messiah, St. Mary’s, – – – – 14 50
“ Ogeechee Mission, – – – – – – 15 00
“ A Lady of Marietta, – – – – – – 20 00
“ Convention collection at Talbotton, – – – – 20 00
_________
1687 58
Balance on hand last report, – – – – – 100 03
_________
$1,787 61
_________
Paid Rev. B.E. Habersham, Missionary at Madison, – – – – $100 00
“ Rev. R. Johnson, Missionary at Talbotton, – – – – 300 00
“ Rev. J.L. Smith, Missionary at Athens, – – – – – 150 00
“ Rev. W.D. Harlow, Missionary at St. Marys, – – – – 74 75
“ Rev. B.F. Mower, Missionary at Clarkesville, – – – – 150 00
“ Rev. J.D. Gibson, Missionary at Rome, – – – – – 300 00
“ Rev. E.P. Brown, Missionary at St. Simons, – – – – 112 50
“ Rev. W.J. Zimmer, Missionary at Atlanta, – – – – 200 00
“ Rev. W.P. Gahagan, Missionary at Griffin, – – – – 15 00
“ Rev. J.H. George, Missionary at Albany, – – – – 50 00
“ Rev, B.F. Mower, balance due last year, – – – – 24 00
“ Rev. E.P. Brown, “ “ “ “ – – – – 37 50
“ Rev. W.J. Zimmer, “ “ “ “ – – – – 38 89
Balance on hand – – – – – – 234 97
________
$1,787 61
________
Balance brought forward, – – – $234 97
Amount due Rev. E.P. Brown, – – 37 50
________
Nett balance, $197 47
________
W.S. WILLIFORD, Treas. Miss. Con.
E.E.—May 9, 1851.

56
Abstract of Parochial Reports.

ABSTRACT OF PAROCHIAL REPORTS.

CHURCHES, OR PARISHES. BAPTISMS. Confirmations COMMUNICANTS. CONTRIBUTIONS. S. SCHOOLS.

RECTORS, &c.
Adults Infants Total Added Removed Died Pres. No. Marriages Burials FOR MISSIONS. Other Objects Total Teachers Pupils Total
Diocesan Domestic Foreign
Christ, Savannah 17 17 4 160 10 13 $673. 69 238.52 809. 75 451..51 $2173. 47 12 80 92
St. Paul’s, Augusta 9 30 39 7 17 7 2 136 7 27 468.56 66.20 75.00 714.62 1324.28 7 90 97 E.E. Ford, D.D.
Christ, St. Simons 52 E.P. Brown
Christ, Macon 1 17 18 1 4 11 4 80 4 5 109.88 149.35 578.49 837.72 11 84 95 L.A. Shanklin
Trinity, Columbus 3 13 16 12 58 105 3 8 106.35 158.05 20.00 470.01 754.41 14 106 120 T.F. Scott
Grace, Clarkesville 1 6 7 4 3 12 1 1 19.35 2.25 15.26 789.62 826.47 8 75 83 B.F. Mower
St. John’s, Savannah 1 19 20 4 17 6 4 109 4 18 210.00 100.00 235.00 451.70 996.70 R. M. White
St. Stephen’s, Milledgeville 4 4 13 G. Macauley
St. Luke’s, Montpelier 1 1 16 1 100.00 30.00 35.00 65.00 230.00 7 80 87 Rt. Rev. S. Elliott, D.D.
S.G. Bragg, Ass’t
St. Andrew’s, Darien 3 3 26 G.H. Clark, late Minister
St. David’s, Glynn 3 1 4 1 10 2 G.H. Clark, late Minister
St. James’, Marietta 10 10 2 8 5 48 3 3 16.38 10.00 26.38 6 50 56 J.S. Hanckel
Emanuel, Athens 1 1 2 2 8 1 31 3 3 14.65 10.00 468.25 493.00 P.L. Smith
St. Peter’s, Rome 1 19 20 7 4 4 22 2 1.83 1.75 24.96 28.54 7 64 71 J.D. Gibson
Ascension, Cass Co 1 5 6 2 2 2 7 2 1 1 8 9 W.J. Perdue
Messiah, St. Mary’s 28 4 15 19
Ogeechee Mission 4 18 22 8 17 6 18 5.00 5.00 10.00 28.47 48.47 W.C. Williams
St. Philip’s, Atlanta 1 1 2 3 8 1 19.00 19.00 10 60 70 W.J. Zimmer
Zion, Talbotton 1 1 8 20.00 20.00 51 51 R. Johnson
Advent, Madison 1 5 6 8 2 10 12 B.E. Habersham
St. Paul’s, Albany 1 38 39 8 88 1 J.H.George
Total 28 208 236 46 70 107 11 984 48 99 1745.69 621.77 1349.35 4061.63 7778.44 89 773 862

57
Rules of Order.

RULES OF ORDER.

__________

Rule 1. The business of each day shall be introduced by the Order for Daily Morning Prayer and a Sermon.
Rule 2. When the President takes the chair, no member shall continue standing, or shall stand up, unless to address the chair.
Rule 3. The order of doing business in the Convention shall be as follows:
1. The appointment of a Secretary by ballot.
2. The appointment of Committees of the Convention, and Special Committees.
3. The Annual Address of the Bishop.
4. The reading of the Parochial reports.
5. Reports from Committees of the Diocese.
6. Reports from the Treasurers.
7. Reports from Committees appointed at the last Convention.
8. Reports from Committees.
9. Election by ballot of Treasurers, Standing Committee of the Diocese, Diocesan Missionary Committee, and Deputies to the General Convention.
Rule 4. When any member is about to speak in debate, or present any matter to the Convention, he shall, with due respect, address himself to the President, confining himself strictly to the point in debate.
Rule 5. No member shall absent himself from the service of the Convention, unless he have leave, or be unable to attend.
Rule 6. No member shall speak more than twice in the same debate, without leave of the Convention.
Rule 7. A question, being once determined, shall stand as the judgment of the Convention, and shall not be drawn into debate the same session, unless with the consent of two-thirds of the Convention; Provided always, that any member of the Convention voting in favor of any question, may, on the same day in which the vote is taken, or on the succeeding day, move a reconsideration of said vote.
Rule 8. No motion shall be debated, or shall be considered as before the Convention, unless seconded, reduced to writing, and read by the Secretary.

58
Standing Resolutions.

Rule 9. When a motion is under consideration, no other motion shall be made, except to amend, to divide, to commit, or to postpone; a motion to adjourn, however, shall always be in order, and shall be decided without debate.
Rule 10. A question on amendment shall be decided before the original motion.
Rule 11. Every member who shall be present when the question is put, shall vote, unless personally interested, or excused by the Convention from voting.
Rule 12. When the Convention is about to rise, or adjourn, every member shall keep his seat until the President shall leave the chair.

__________

STANDING RESOLUTIONS.

FOR PROVIDING A PERMANENT FUND FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE EPISCOPATE,
ADOPTED 1841.

Resolved, That, as it is important that the formation of a permanent fund for the support of the Episcopate in this Diocese be at once commenced, each Rector of a Parish is requested, annually, to call the attention of his parishioners to the subject, and invite contributions for the object in such mode as he may deem most expedient. That the Standing Committee of the Diocese be trustees of this fund, to whom all the collections are to be paid over by the respective Rectors, and the amount thus paid over be invested by the said trustees in what may appear to them the most safe and profitable manner—the interest annually received to be added to the principal, so that for the present the fund may be accumulating. And further,
Resolved, That the Standing Committee, as trustees aforesaid, be requested to report to each annual Convention the amount received during the year, the sources from which received, and the manner in which the same is invested.

OF THE ORGANIZATION OF NEW PARISHES, ADOPTED 1842

Resolved, That in the organization of new Parishes, the following form of declaration be recommended, and the meeting in which it is adopted be held and conducted according to the provisions of Canon V:
“We, the subscribers, assembled for the purpose of organizing a Church, (or Parish) of the Protestant Episcopal Church in _____, county of _____, and State of Georgia, after due notice given, do hereby agree

59
The Style or Title of Churches—Form of Certificates.

to form a church (or Parish) to be known by the name of _____ Church, and as such, do hereby acknowledge and accede to the doctrine, discipline and worship, the constitution and canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the U. States of America, and the constitution and canons of the same church in the Diocese of Georgia; and we do accordingly appoint A B and C D to be the first Wardens, and E F, G H, I J, to be the first Vestrymen of _____ Church, to continue in office until Easter Monday, A.D. _____, and until others be chosen in their place. And an election of Wardens and Vestrymen shall hereafter be held on Easter Monday of each successive year.
“Witness our hands at _____, county of _____, and State of Georgia, this ___ day of ___, in the year of our Lord _____.”

ON THE USE OF CHURCHES, ADOPTED 1842.

On motion, it was unanimously—Resolved, That it be recommended to the Vestries of our churches in this Diocese to discourage the use of the churches under their care for all “unhallowed, worldly and common uses.”

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THE STYLE OR TITLE OF CHURCHES.

The proper style for a duly incorporated Congregation is, “The Rector, Church Wardens and Vestry, (or else the Church Wardens and Vestry) of _____ church in _____.” The first blank being left for the name of the church, the other for that of the place.

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FORM OF A CERTIFICATE,

OF APPOINTMENT AS A DELEGATE TO THE DIOCESAN CONVENTION.
This certifies, that a meeting of the Rector, Wardens and Vestry, (or Wardens and Vestry, if no Rector were present,) of _____ held on the _____ day of _____, the following person (or persons, as the case may be,) viz: K L, M N and O P, were duly elected to represent this church in the next convention of this Diocese, to be held in _____ on the _____ day of _____, 18__.

The above certificate shall be signed by the Rector, if present, or in his absence, by one of the Wardens or Secretary of the Vestry.

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Secretary’s Notice, &c.

SECRETARY’S NOTICE.
The Secretary respectfully requests the Rectors of Parishes, and the Wardens of vacant Parishes, to furnish at the next convention the date of their respective organizations as Parishes or Churches.

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 A portion of the Journal having gone to press without the revision of the Secretary, the following errors were not detected until part of the edition had been struck off.
Page 24—fifth line from the bottom, instead of for, read “after to day”—eighth line, read Yonge instead of George—eleventh line, read three instead of two.

{back cover}

Right Rev. STEPHEN ELLIOTT, Jr., D. D.

BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF GEORGIA.

Post Office—Macon.

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Rev. THOMAS F. SCOTT, Columbus

SECRETARY OF THE CONVENTION.

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Rev. EDWARD E. FORD, D. D., Augusta.

PRESIDENT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE.

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Mr. GEORGE PARROTT, of Augusta.

TREASURER OF THE DIOCESE.

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Mr. W. S. WILLIFORD, of Macon.

TREASURER OF THE MISSIONARY COMMITTEE.

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It was Resolved, That the next Convention of the church in the Diocese be held in the city of Augusta, on Thursday following the first Monday of May 1852.